Argentina vs Ecuador live updates: 2024 Copa America team news ...

Ecuador could not have really made a worse start to their Copa America campaign.

A lapse in judgement from iconic striker Enner Valencia led to him being shown a red card before the halfway stage of the first half against Venezuela. The Ecuadorians did, however take a lead into half-time as Jeremy Sarmiento fired a brilliant strike into the bottom corner.

But Venezuela's extra-man advantage soon paid off in the second half. A low effort from Jhonder Cadiz snuck into the bottom corner with just under 20 second-half minutes on the clock. And, just 10 minutes later, the game had been turned on its head when Eduard Bello was on hand to tap in a rebound from close range.

With passage to the quarter-final already secure, Argentina made changes to their starting XI for the game against Peru.

Different team, but similar problems as they reached half-time with a goalless scoreline for the third match in a row.

But, like against Canada, it didn't take long for the second-half breakthrough. Martinez latched onto a cute pass from Angel Di Maria and finished with a deft chip over the onrushing Pedro Gallese within two minutes of the restart.

And, after Leandro Paredes struck the post with a wayward penalty, the Inter striker scored again to make it 2-0 after some calamitous defending from the Peruvians.

Another seemingly comfortable opponent awaited in the second Group A game for Argentina, but it was another opponent they struggled to put away.

Chile looked like they would hold on for an unlikely goalless draw but, in the 88th minute, Martinez was on target again, cleaning up a messy corner at the back post to give his side all three points.

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Chile 0-1 Argentina takeaways: Late winner, Messi’s injury scare, Argentina in quarterfinals

Argentina were handed a rather favourable draw for their Copa America defence and it began with a game against Canada in Atlanta.

And the Canadians competed very well and could've taken the lead against the world champions, but couldn't quite find their shooting boots.

Still goalless at half-time, Argentina did what all good teams do in the second half: they found a way. Goals from Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez were enough to see of Jesse Marsch's side, despite their best efforts.

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Argentina 2, Canada 0 takeaways: Halftime mind games and Maxime Crepeau’s impressive stops

Only players managed more than one assist during the group stage and only one of those managed more than two.

That player? James Rodriguez.

In the twilight of his career, the former Real Madrid midfielder remains a key part of the Colombia side attempting to win a second Copa America title.

Lautaro Martinez used to sleep on a lower bunk in one of the dormitories at the Casa Tita Mattiussi. He scribbled his name on one of the wooden slats of the bed frame above.

It wasn’t petty vandalism. Academy players at Argentina’s Racing Club are encouraged to do it. Cecilia Contarino, a trained psychologist, who runs the lodgings — the pensión — for the club, has always believed it helps with visualisation.

When the next generation come along to take up their places, they can draw inspiration from those who stayed at the Mattiussi in the past. When they look up, they see more than a name. They see careers flash before their eyes. Debuts at Racing’s stadium, El Cilindro, next door. Moves to Europe. League titles. A World Cup.

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Lautaro Martinez: Argentina’s Copa America top scorer who almost always has the last laugh

What a tournament Lautaro Martinez is having for Argentina.

He scored four goals during the group stage and has breathing space in his pursuit of the Copa America Golden Boot award (given to the top goalscorer).

Players from eliminated teams have not been included

Tuesday evening marked the end of the group stage.

So that means the final two group-stage eliminations were confirmed.

One of the big shocks was the hosts USA being beaten to the second qualifying spot in Group C by Panama while neighbours Mexico didn't fare any better in Group B — here are all the eliminated teams:

16 have become eight and were are closing in on the championship rounds at Copa America.

Over the next four days, the field will be halved again and we will know our semifinal line-up.

Here are the four quarterfinals:

Goalkeepers: Hernan Galindez (Huracan), Alexander Dominguez (LDU Quito), Moises Ramirez (Independiente del Valle).

Defenders: Piero Hincapie (Bayer Leverkusen), William Pacho (Eintracht Frankfurt), Felix Torres (Corinthians), Joel Ordonez (Club Bruges), Andres Micolta (Pachuca), Jackson Porozo (Troyes), Layan Loor (CD Universidad Catolica), Jose Hurtado (RB Bragantino), Angelo Preciado (Sparta Prague).

Midfielders: Carlos Gruezo (San Jose Earthquakes), Moises Caicedo (Chelsea), Alan Franco (Atletico Mineiro), Jose Cifuentes (Cruzeiro), Joao Ortiz (Independiente del Valle), Kendry Paez (Independiente del Valle), Jeremy Sarmiento (Ipswich Town), John Yeboah (Rakow Czestochowa), Angel Mena (Leon), Alan Minda (Cercle Bruges), Janner Corozo (Barcelona S.C).

Forwards: Enner Valencia (Internacional), Kevin Rodriguez (Royale Union Saint-Gilloise), Jordy Caicedo (Atlas).

Goalkeepers: Franco Armani (River Plate), Geronimo Rulli (Ajax), Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa)

Defenders: Gonzalo Montiel (Nottingham Forest), Nahuel Molina (Atletico Madrid), Cristian Romero (Tottenham Hotspur), German Pezzella (Real Betis), Lucas Martinez Quarta (Fiorentina), Nicolas Otamendi (Benfica), Lisandro Martinez (Manchester United), Marcos Acuna (Sevilla), Nicolas Tagliafico (Lyon)

Midfielders: Guido Rodriguez (Real Betis), Leandro Paredes (Roma), Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool), Rodrigo De Paul (Atletico Madrid), Exequiel Palacios (Bayer Leverkusen), Enzo Fernandez (Chelsea), Giovani Lo Celso (Tottenham Hotspur)

Forwards: Angel Di Maria (Benfica), Valentin Carboni (A.C. Monza), Lionel Messi (Inter Miami), Alejandro Garnacho (Manchester United), Nicolas Gonzalez (Fiorentina), Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan), Julian Alvarez (Manchester City)

Capacity: 72,220

With Argentina in town, it is only fitting that one of the biggest stadiums in use at Copa America is the venue. And it is equally fitting that this will be the last game of the tournament played at NRG Stadium.

The home of NFL outfit Houston Texans also hosted Colombia's 2-1 win against Paraguay in Group D during the group stage.

Here are your viewing options for today's game depending on where you are based.

As the only game being played at 2024 Copa America today, Argentina vs Ecuador is in the primetime slot.

It is an 8pm kick-off local time (CST), so that 9pm EDT and 6pm PDT.

For those wanting to watch in Europe, it will be played in the early hours of Friday morning at 3am CET and 2am BST.

Hello and welcome along to The Athletic's live coverage of the first 2024 Copa America quarter-final between Argentina and Ecaudor.

It marks the start of the knockout stage as we get closer to finding out which team will lift the trophy on Sunday, July 14.

Argentina are the reigning champions and their title defence has gone well so far, but this stage of the tournament is a different beast to the group stage.

Stick with us throughout the day as we build up to this one.