26’ Argentina almost scores!
23’ Caicedo will have to be careful!
Caicedo pulls Lautaro back to stop an attack and again, concedes a free kick.
Did you know?
The last time Ecuador beat Argentina was nine years ago, in a World Cup qualification game, in October 2015. Since then, they have met six times and only once has the match ended in a draw.
21’ Another chance for Argentina!
Lo Celso steals the ball off Preciado and Di Maria latches on to it, rushes into the box and shoots. However, his shot curls off target and flies out of play.
19’ Chance for Argentina!
Di Maria gets the ball in front of the box and lobs it into the box with Montiel rushing in. But Galindez gets to the ball first to put that attack to bed.
18’
Lionel Messi, Argentina’s captain watches on, sitting beside Nicholas Otamendi. Though Scaloni, Argentina’s coach had said that Messi would play, he had maintained that his game time would be limited, with the Copa America knocking on the door.
16’
Preciado tries to play a dummy along the right flank and Argentina gets the ball back, with Emiliano Martinez getting control of the ball.
14’
Tempers are flying in this game, which is proving to be anything by friendly. Caicedo pushes Rodrigo, who gets further aggressive when the referee intervenes for peace.
13’
Argentina builds slowly from the back, gets the ball to Di Maria, who staves off two defenders but loses to the third. Rodrigo de Paul wins it back but the final shot ends to nothing, with Galindez handling it comfortably.
June 10, 2024 04:46
YELLOW CARD
11’ Caicedo into the book
Caicedo tries to stop an attack by Argentina and traps Lautaro from behind. The Inter Milan forward goes to ground and the referee brandishes a yellow card for the Ecuadorian.
10’ Chance for Ecuador!
Caicedo takes the corner kick, which is cleared by Argentina while a shot on the volley by Ecuador flies over the net.
9’
Argentina looks to absorb pressure very well with Caicedo, who plays for Chelsea in the Premier League, pulling strings in the midfield. Lo Celso tries to steal the ball off him as Ecuador gets a corner kick. Its like Chelsea vs Spurs!
8’
Sanchez looks animated with the way his side is looking to press early in the game and his shouts of “Vamos!” meaning “Come on” are very evident almost every minute now.
7’
It is quite an interesting affair we have here. Ecuador had faced Qatar in the opening match of the FIFA World Cup, with Ecuador winning that game 2-0. The coach of Qatar then, Felix Sanchez stands in Ecuador’s dugout now.
6’
Preciado is causing all sorts of problems with his runs down the right flank. He is pushed down by Lo Celso as the referee blows the whistle for a foul.
4’
Ecuador tries to go for an attack with Preciado making a forward run. He bluffs his marker but his final shot lacks any power as Argentina remains unperturbed by the early advancements.
3’
Di Maria and Julian Alvarez are pressing high up the pitch but Ecuador is maintaining a heavy low block to force the Albiceleste to go back into its own half.
2’
Argentina starts in a 4-3-3 formation while Ecuador has gone with a 3-2-2-2 shape, which can transform into a 3-5-2 formation when needed.
Kick-Off!
Argentina gets the ball rolling, playing from right to left while Ecuador starts from the other side.
National Anthems done and dusted!
The players of both sides stand shoulder to shoulder as the National anthems of Ecuador and then Argentina blare through the speakers. The battle lines are drawn as we edge closer and closer to kick-off.
Minutes to kick off!
The players have made their way to the tunnel as they get ready to take the pitch. Argentina will look to continue its dominance against Ecuador while La Tri will eye an upset with Messi on the bench.
What happened the last time Argentina played Ecuador?
Argentina last played Ecuador in the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers at the River Plate Stadium, Buenos Aires, in September 2023. Lionel Messi scored the winner in the 78th minute to secure a 1-0 win.
Ecuador’s starting XI
Ecuador: Hernán Galíndez; Ángelo Preciado, Félix Torres, Willan Pacho, Piero Hincapié; Moisés Caicedo, Kendry Páez, Joao Ortiz; Jhon Yeboah, and Enner Valencia; A. Minda, J. Sarmiento, A. Franco
Starting XI of Argentina
Emiliano Martínez ; Gonzalo Montiel , Cristian Romero , Lisandro Martínez , Marcos Acuña ; Rodrigo De Paul , Leandro Paredes , Giovani Lo Celso ; Lautaro Martínez , Julián Álvarez , Ángel Di María.
Predicted line-up of Ecuador
Ecuador: Hernán Galíndez; Ángelo Preciado, Félix Torres, Willan Pacho, Piero Hincapié; Moisés Caicedo, Carlos Gruezo, Joao Ortiz; Jhon Yeboah, Kendry Páez and Enner Valencia
Predicted line-up of Argentina
Argentina: Emiliano Martínez; Gonzalo Montiel, Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martínez, Leonardo Balerdi, Marcos Acuña; Exequiel Palacios, Leandro Paredes, Giovani Lo Celso; Lionel Messi; Alejandro Garnacho, Lautaro Martínez.
Match preview
Defending champion Argentina will kick-off its 2024 Copa America preparations with a friendly match against Ecuador at the Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois. on Monday.
Lionel Messi and Co. will be looking to live up to their World Champions tag in the upcoming continental showpiece event in the United States.
The Albiceleste are the overwhelming favourites to defend their title and have one of the strongest teams in the tournament alongside arch-rival Brazil.
Coach Lionel Scaloni will be looking to asses his squad ahead of the tournament as most players are coming off from end of season holidays. Argentina last played in March 27, 2024 against against Costa Rica in an international friendly.
Welcome!
Hello and welcome to the live coverage of the match between Argentina and Ecuador as Lionel Messi and Co, gear up for Copa America 2024.
