Without Messi, Argentina aim to end qualifiers on a high against Ecuador | OneFootball

With an alternative lineup and without the Flea, the Scaloneta visits the team led by Beccacece.

The Argentine National Team faces its last match in the South American Qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup this Tuesday. Starting at 8 PM, Lionel Scaloni's team visits Ecuador at the Estadio Monumental Banco Pichincha in Guayaquil, with Colombian referee Wilmar Roldán.

The national team arrives with its qualification secured and the first place guaranteed in the standings with 38 points, resulting from 12 wins, 2 draws, and 3 losses. In their last match, the Albiceleste defeated Venezuela 2-0 at the Monumental, which was Lionel Messi's farewell to official matches in Argentina. The captain did not travel to Guayaquil as he agreed with the coaching staff to focus on his preparation with Inter Miami: “I’m coming off an injury, I’m fine, but we prefer to avoid another match and prepare for what’s coming”, he explained.

How the Scaloneta is doing

For this match, Scaloni is preparing several changes in the starting eleven. In defense, the suspension of Cristian Romero opens the door for Leonardo Balerdi, who will accompany Nicolás Otamendi. On the flanks, Nicolás Tagliafico is expected to remain, while Gonzalo Montiel is competing for a spot with Nahuel Molina.

In midfield, the return of Alexis Mac Allister is expected, alongside Leandro Paredes and Rodrigo De Paul, while there will be changes in attack: the absence of Messi and the departure of Franco Mastantuono would make room for Nicolás Paz, with Lautaro Martínez confirmed and the decision between Julián Álvarez or Giuliano Simeone. Nicolás González, who had a good performance against Venezuela, is also a candidate to start.

Ecuador's current situation

The team led by Sebastián Beccacece arrives with 26 points and occupies the fourth place in the standings. In their last match, they drew 0-0 against Paraguay in Asunción. For this match, they will have the return of Alan Franco after suspension and Moisés Caicedo is already recovered.

The goalkeeper will be Hernán Galíndez, while in defense, Willian Pacho and Piero Hincapié will be in the center, with Pervis Estupiñán on the left and the decision between Joel Ordoñez or Ángelo Preciado on the right. In attack, Enner Valencia and Kevin Rodríguez will form the attacking duo, accompanied by Gonzalo Plata and one of Nilson Angulo or John Yeboah.

History

Argentina has a streak of eight matches without losing to Ecuador, with six wins and two draws. The last victory for the Tri dates back to October 2015, at the start of the Qualifiers for Russia 2018. In the overall history, they have faced each other 41 times, with 24 wins for the Albiceleste, 12 draws, and only 5 Ecuadorian victories.

Probable lineups

Argentina: Emiliano Martínez; Nahuel Molina or Gonzalo Montiel, Leonardo Balerdi, Nicolás Otamendi, Nicolás Tagliafico; Rodrigo De Paul, Leandro Paredes, Alexis Mac Allister or Exequiel Palacios; Nicolás Paz, Lautaro Martínez, Julián Álvarez or Giuliano Simeone, and Nicolás González. Coach: Lionel Scaloni.

Ecuador: Hernán Galíndez; Joel Ordoñez or Ángelo Preciado, Willian Pacho, Piero Hincapié, Pervis Estupiñán; Moisés Caicedo, Alan Franco, Gonzalo Plata, John Yeboah or Nilson Angulo; Kevin Rodríguez and Enner Valencia. Coach: Sebastián Beccacece.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.