Our tipsters are backing Argentina to bag a hard-fought win against Ecuador in the quarter final of Copa America 2024.
The Albiceleste are pre-tournament favourites and they lived up to the expectation by winning all three games in the group stage without conceding a single goal.
Though Lionel Messi is yet to score a goal in the competition, Argentina fans around the world have plenty to talk about with a bunch of other players raising to the occasion.
Lautaro Martínez is the stand our player in the list with four goals to his name. And it is important to note that he scored in all 3 games despite his lone start happened in the final group game against Peru in Messi’s absence where he netted his team’s both goals.
Ecuador on the other hand, bounced back brilliantly after the surprise opening day defeat to Venezuela by defeating Jamaica and holding Mexico to a goalless draw.
Argentina and Ecuador will be meeting for the 17th time at Copa America on Thursday night. The Albiceleste are unbeaten in those games with 11 wins and 5 draws. They last met in this competition in 2021 and it was a one-sided affair bossed by Messi, who got his name on the score sheet along with Rodrigo de Paul and Lautaro Martinez.
Argentina team news
Lionel Messi is a doubt for this clash as he is yet to recover from a hamstring injury picked up during the clash with Chile.
He sat out of the final group game against Peru and now it is upto Scaloni to decide whether to risk the star man or bring him as an impact substitute.
Meanwhile, the rest of the key players are expected to return to the starting lineup after being rested in the final group stage game.
Argentina Expected Starting Line-up (4-4-2 Formation)
Emiliano Martinez – Molina, Romero, Lisandro Martinez, Tagliafico – de Paul, Mac Allister, Enzo Fernandez, Nicolas Gonzalez – Messi, Lautaro Martinez.
Ecuador Team News
Sanchez Bas Felix is not expected to change the starting eleven that performed admirably against Jamaica and Mexico.
Ecuador Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1 Formation):
Dominguez – Hincapie, Pacho, Torres, Preciado – Caicedo, Franco – Sarmiento, Paez, Yeboah – Valencia.
