Argentina National Football Team Vs Ecuador National Football Team Lineups

Lineups and key details

Argentina and Ecuador’s legendary rivalry has produced many memorable matches, incredible goals, and fierce competition. Each side will look to capitalize on these successes this week during a friendly match at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

Lionel Scaloni will look to give Manchester United winger Alejandro Garnacho playing time, who could replace Angel Di Maria on the wide flanks. Furthermore, there will also be Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez available as potential alternatives. In this article, we will discuss most important point of Argentina National Football Team Vs Ecuador National Football Team Lineups.

Argentina

Argentina are firm favourites to claim victory in the opening match at the Copa America, as they look to defend their crown. Argentina are currently at the top of world rankings and already beat Ecuador in one of their friendly matches this year – though South American giants Ecuador don’t take any teams lightly and boast an equally potent squad that could cause problems any given day.

Lionel Messi will make his first appearance of 2024 after missing two friendlies due to injury in March. The all-time appearance holder and record goalscorer may start alongside Angel Di Maria from Manchester United – both could feature prominently.

Messi will look to add to his already impressive goal tally in leading Argentina towards glory, hoping that an early strike from outside of the box can break open proceedings.

Argentina will aim to get the ball moving quickly during their buildup phase, and have experienced attacking players such as Messi, Di Maria and Lautaro Martinez who are capable of playing on either flank.

Argentina fullbacks Juan Marola and Nicolas Tagliafico will provide flank coverage while central defenders Romero and Otamendi hope to prove themselves worthy contenders for starting positions come summertime.

Ecuador can cause problems for the reigning champions with some talented attacking players like Hernan Galindez who is linked up well with Felix Torres and Willian Pacho as well as Juan Caicedo and Kendry Paez who can provide support up front.

Ecuador are expected to field an effective defensive unit and aim to keep a clean sheet and limit goals scored if they wish to compete for one of four spots in the finals.

Defending champions Ecuador are unbeaten in six matches and look to extend that streak against an experienced Ecuador side in Chicago. While South American rivals Argentina may have claimed five victories against them so far, Ecuador are confident of adding yet another triumphant performance against them in Chicago.

1. What was Argentina’s lineup in their latest match against Ecuador?
In the September 2025 qualifier, Argentina started Emiliano Martínez; Montiel, Balerdi, Otamendi and Tagliafico; De Paul, Paredes and Mac Allister; with Lautaro Martínez, Giuliano Simeone and Nicolás González up front. Messi was not in the squad.

2. What was Ecuador’s lineup in that match?
Galíndez; Ordóñez, Pacho, Hincapié; Vite, Caicedo, Franco, Plata, Angulo; Preciado and Valencia.

3. Who won the last Argentina vs Ecuador match?
Ecuador won 1-0. Valencia scored a first-half penalty on his 100th appearance, and both teams had a man sent off.

4. What is the overall head-to-head record?
Argentina has won 25 of their 42 meetings with Ecuador. Ecuador’s wins are rare, but they include 2-0 home wins in 2005 and 2009, 2-0 in Argentina in 2015, and the 2025 result.

5. Did Messi play in Argentina’s recent games against Ecuador?
He did not play in the September 2025 match. He had been rested after the Venezuela game and returned to Inter Miami. In the July 2024 Copa América quarter-final, the match report lists him among the players in the shootout.

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