COPA AMÉRICA
Argentina face Ecuador in the Copa América quarter-finals today, as the defending champions seek to reach the last four yet again. The Albiceleste have made the semi-finals at each of the past four editions of the tournament, and have failed to progress beyond the quarters only once this century.
Argentina qualified for the knockout stages by winning Group A with maximum points, and are the only team yet to concede at the 2024 Copa América.
As they continue their pursuit of a 16th Copa América title, Lionel Scaloni’s men now face a team that has never beaten them in the competition. Per Opta, the world champions have registered 11 wins and six draws against Ecuador in Copa América clashes, the most recent of which came at this stage of the tournament in 2021. In the quarter-finals three years ago, goals by Rodrigo de Paul, Lautaro Martínez and Lionel Messi gave the Argentinians a 3-0 win.
Argentina have been sweating on the fitness of captain Lionel Messi, who sat out the team’s final group game – a 2-0 win over Peru – with a thigh injury. Speaking to reporters yesterday, head coach Scaloni said he’d wait until “the last moment” before making a decision on the Inter Miami star’s availability to play. “I think the right thing to do is let him take his time and get as much training time as possible under his belt,” Scaloni said. “I’ll talk to him in training and then we’ll make a decision on what we’re going to do tomorrow.” Reports in the Argentinian media suggest that Messi will be able to return to the line-up.
While Argentina are bidding to extend their run of semi-final appearances, Ecuador are out to end a more than three-decade wait to reach the last four of the Copa América. The Tricolor have become quarter-final regulars, having now made it to the last eight at three of the last four Copa Américas, but have not advanced to the tournament’s semi-finals since 1993.
The Ecuadorians progressed to this year’s knockout stages by finishing second to Venezuela in Group B. Félix Sánchez’s side collected four points, a matchday-three draw with Mexico ensuring they pipped the North Americans to the runners-up spot on goal difference.
Unsurprisingly, the bookmakers are heavily backing Argentina to beat a side who sit 29 places below them in the FIFA world rankings. According to Oddschecker, the tournament holders are priced at -225 to win today’s quarter-final. A victory for Ecuador, meanwhile, is valued at +750.
The soccer statisticians also give the Ecuadorians little hope of returning to the semi-finals for the first time in 31 years. Opta’s ‘supercomputer’ gives Argentina a 76.4% chance of reaching the last four, with a 68.4% probability of beating Ecuador inside 90 minutes.
Argentina and Ecuador meet today, Thursday July 4, at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas. Kick-off is scheduled for 9pm ET/6pm ET. Viewers in the US can watch the game on Fox Network, TUDN USA, Univisión and ViX, while you can also stream the action on fuboTV, which offers new users a free introductory trial.
Enjoy Argentina vs Ecuador on fubo.
The winner of today’s match-up in Houston will advance to a semi-final against either Venezuela or Canada, in East Rutherford on Tuesday July 9. Venezuela and Canada face off in the quarter-finals tomorrow, Friday July 5.
About the author
William Allen
British journalist and translator who joined Diario AS in 2013. Focuses on soccer – chiefly the Premier League, LaLiga, the Champions League, the Liga MX and MLS. On occasion, also covers American sports, general news and entertainment. Fascinated by the language of sport – particularly the under-appreciated art of translating cliché-speak.
COPA AMÉRICA 2024
COPA AMÉRICA 2024
EURO 2024
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