Copa America 2024 quarterfinals are here and defending champions Argentina will face Ecuador on Thursday. Lionel Messi’s injury has become an area of concern for the reigning FIFA World Cup champions.
Argentina vs Ecuador Preview :
Statistically speaking, the opening phase of this tournament was nearly flawless for Lionel Scaloni’s men, who won their three encounters and did not concede. All five of their goals scored in the opening phase came in the second half, and they have not fallen behind in a Copa America match since the 2019 semi-finals (2-0 loss versus Brazil). The Argentines have won eight consecutive matches across all competitions and have only conceded two goals over that stretch.
Ecuador finished in second place in Group B in the 2024 Copa America standings and has stepped up to the plate in the competition. The Ecuadorian outfit played out a 0-0 stalemate against Mexico and will look to put in another robust display in the Copa America 2024 quarterfinals.
On the other hand, Argentina finished at the top of Group A in the tournament and is in excellent form. The Albiceleste defeated Peru by a comfortable 2-0 scoreline in their previous game and will look to achieve a similar result in this knockout encounter.
Lionel Messi’s availability is uncertain for Argentina’s Copa America match against Ecuador :
Lionel Messi’s presence on the pitch for Argentina isn’t guaranteed for Thursday’s Copa America quarterfinal against Ecuador. The legendary footballer did not play in Argentina’s 2-0 win over Peru over the weekend to close out the tournament’s group stage. Argentina national team coach Lionel Scaloni spoke about Messi’s availability in the Copa America quarter-final match vs. Ecuador. Head coach Lionel Scaloni told reporters Wednesday that the club will “do our best for him to play,” The Argentine football federation said the 37-year-old did some kinesiology work before training and was with the rest of the group afterward.
Where will the Argentina vs Ecuador match be played?
The Copa America 2024 quarterfinal match between Argentina vs Ecuador match will be played at the NRG Stadium in Houston. The match will start at 8 pm ET on Thursday.
Player to watch in Copa America 2024 quarterfinals between Argentina vs Ecuador :
Argentina – Lautaro Martínez
Only two Argentina players have scored more goals in a single edition of the tournament in the 21st century than Martínez has in this one (four): Juan Roman Riquelme in 2007 and Lionel Messi in 2016, both netting five goals each.
Martínez also leads the way in Argentina’s squad for shots (nine), despite only starting one of their matches so far.
Ecuador – Kendry Paez
Kendry Paez was an integral player for Ecuador in the group stages as he made the most ball recoveries (19) and attempted the second-most shots (10, behind Salomon Rondon’s 13) among all teams in Group B.
The 17-year-old will join Chelsea next year and is already displaying the quality that attracted the Blues in the first place.
[…] Spain, Germany, Portugal, and France, European football powerhouses, clash in today’s Euro 2024 quarterfinals. […]
[…] a hot, sticky sky, Argentina and Lionel Messi sealed their second consecutive Copa América final and fourth in the past five […]