Argentina vs Ecuador: Reigning champs look to progress…but will Lionel Messi be involved?
Familiar opponents Argentina and Ecuador will renew acquaintances when the two sides square off in the 2024 Copa America quarter-finals on Thursday. La Albiceleste are the joint-most successful team in this competition (along with fellow quarter-finalists Uruguay) and Lionel Scaloni’s men come into this contest as the reigning champions after winning it in 2021. That was one year before Argentina ended their decades-long wait to clinch the World Cup, and now, they will be aiming to make it three major titles in three years by clinching what would be their 16th Copa America this summer.
As many expected, Argentina booked their ticket in the quarter-finals after a pretty straight-forward group stage campaign. Scaloni’s troops picked up three wins over Canada, Chile, and Peru to head into the knockout rounds without conceding a solitary goal. Although Argentina were quite fortunate to get an easier group than some other teams in this competition, their progression has been made even more noteworthy due to the absence of the talismanic Lionel Messi.
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner suffered a groin injury during his team’s clash against Chile and now is in some doubt to feature against Ecuador. So far, however, the team have done just fine without him. Inter’s Lautaro Martinez has scored four of Argentina’s five goals, including the game-deciders against Chile and Peru, and has done so while mostly coming off the bench. Many expect the Nerazzurri striker to be finally given some more game-time after getting a full start on matchday three, during which he netted a brace against Peru and secured all three points for his team heading into this contest.
Argentina haven’t lost to Ecuador in nine years – since 2015 – and notably, the South American powerhouse have never lost to La Tricolor at a Copa America. Naturally, Ecuador, who, along with Venezuela, are the only CONMEBOL team never to have won the Copa America, will be facing an uphill battle against that frustrating record. Felix Sanchez Bas’s team had a rough start to this competition, as they were beaten 2-1 by Venezuela on matchday one. However, they rebounded by battling to a 3-1 win over Jamaica followed by successfully holding Mexico to a scoreless stalemate, which was enough to earn them a spot in the knockout rounds as Group B’s runners-up.
Youngster Kendry Paez, who netted in Ecuador’s 3-1 win over Jamaica to become the second-youngest goal scorer at a Copa America, has arguably been one of his team’s brightest stars. The 17-year-old, who will join Chelsea in 2025 after he turns 18, will need the support of his more experienced teammates, such as skipper Enner Valencia, to really step up if La Tricolor want to have even the slightest chance of overcoming a very formidable foe on Thursday evening.
For all intents and purposes, though, it would take a stunning turn of events to see Argentina heading home early. La Albiceleste looked mostly comfortable and assured during their group stage ties. In addition, the reigning Copa America winners clearly have the players – in both attack and defense – to get the job done whether Messi is fit to feature or not. Of course, fans in the United States and pretty much all over the world will be hoping to see the 37-year-old bring his spark to this competition, but for now, Argentina will be firmly focused on getting the job done and taking one step closer towards this year’s Copa America final.
