Breaking the Curse: Ecuador’s Quest to Overcome Argentina in Copa America
The quarterfinals of the Copa America kick off this Thursday (4th), and all eyes will be on Houston, USA. At 10 PM (Brasília time), Argentina faces off against Ecuador, with the winner set to play either Venezuela or Canada in the next round.
A Longstanding Struggle
For Ecuador to defy the odds and advance, they must overcome some daunting historical challenges against Argentina. The last time Ecuador triumphed over Argentina was back in 2015 in Buenos Aires during the World Cup 2018 qualifiers.
During that match, Argentina was under the guidance of Tata Martino, while Gustavo Quinteros coached Ecuador. The memorable victory at the Más Monumental stadium saw goals from Frickson Erazo and Felipe Caicedo in the 80th and 84th minutes, respectively.
Copa America History
Another significant hurdle is Ecuador’s record against Argentina in the Copa America. Over 16 matches, dating back to their first encounter in 1941, Ecuador has never won. Argentina boasts 11 wins and five draws in this context.
The last Copa America clash between these teams was in the 2021 quarterfinals. Held in Brazil, Argentina was in inspired form and secured a commanding 3-0 victory. Rodrigo De Paul scored first at the 40-minute mark, and Lautaro Martínez sealed the win, ensuring Argentina’s progression under the leadership of Lionel Scaloni.
Probable Lineups
Argentina:
- Goalkeeper: Emiliano Martínez
- Defenders: Molina, Romero, Lisandro Martínez, Tagliafico
- Midfielders: De Paul, Mac Allister, Lo Celso, Messi (or Di María)
- Forwards: Nico González (or Julian Álvarez), Lautaro Martínez
- Coach: Lionel Scaloni
Ecuador:
- Goalkeeper: Dominguez
- Defenders: Preciado, Torres, Pacho, Hincapié
- Midfielders: Franco, Moisés Caicedo
- Attackers: Yeboah, Kendry Paez, Sarmiento
- Forward: Enner Valencia
- Coach: Félix Sánchez
As the stage is set for an exciting quarterfinal match, Ecuador will need to channel their best performance to break their long-standing taboos against Argentina. The football world watches eagerly to see if they can turn history on its head and advance to the next stage of the Copa America.