Argentina vs Ecuador: ARG vs ECU – Argentina don’t seem to be stopping any time soon. Going into the 2022 World Cup, the Albicelestes had a 36-game unbeaten streak. Following the defeat in their opening match, they opened a winning streak which seems to be going steady. Argentina are taking to the field on the back of 4 friendly wins against Panama, Curacao, Australia, and Indonesia. With the form they are still holding, Argentina are being considered as favourites for the 2026 World Cup. However, their World Cup qualifiers journey starts on Friday against Ecuador.
Argentina face Ecuador in their first competitive match after winning the World Cup in December, last year. The reigning world champions will look to start well in the first match of their 2026 World Cup qualifiers. They are coming back on the back of 4 friendly wins. On the other hand, Ecuador could not progress from the Group stage in the 2022 World Cup. However, they are approaching the game on the back of 3 consecutive friendly wins. Hence, they will give a good fight to the Albicelestes.
With the intention to start well, coach Lionel Scaloni could use the same lineup that took to the field against France in last year’s World Cup final. Their only injury concerns are around Emi Buendia and Paulo Dybala. Buendia is suffering from an ACL injury while Dybala is nursing a calf issue. Meanwhile, even though Lisandro Martinez was taken off early in the last Manchester United game, he still managed to make his way to the squad.
Scaloni has dropped Marcos Acuna, Giovani Lo Celso, and Lucas Ocampos for this match. The coach will have some tough decisions to make in his final third with both last season’s UEFA Champions League finalists in great form. Both Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez are in great forms. Hence, Scaloni could ultimately introduce both of them in the final third.
During the pre-match press conference, coach Lionel Scaloni said, “What happened is now over. It was beautiful, but now we have to keep going. The DNA of Argentine players is to always compete and win. It will be harder now, but this jersey, this badge and this country demand that you continually improve. It will be hard to detach [ourselves] from the euphoria, from the people’s love for their heroes. We try to do that because we’re playing an important game.”
About the team that could take to the field on Friday, Scaloni said, “We decide the list thinking about the best possible team. If it includes World Cup winners, that’s good, but if it doesn’t, it will be with those players that want to win a spot on the team. We’ll play with the best we have.” Answering the question if he’ll rest Messi considering his hectic club schedule, Scaloni said, “I see no sense in resting him if he’s healthy.”
Argentina Predicted XI: E Martinez; Molina, Romero, Otamendi, Tagliafico; De Paul, Mac Allister, Alvarez; Messi, L Martinez, Di Maria
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