The Argentine National Team faces Ecuador in a friendly, prior to the start of the America Cup. The match It is played on Sunday, June 9, starting at 7 p.m. at the Soldier Field stadium in Chicago, with transmission by TyC Sports, Telefé and Public TV.
Why is this friendly duel important?
For Argentina, this is one of the last tests before the start of the Copa América, where they will defend the title obtained at the Maracaná against Brazil. And for Scaloni, the possibility of seeing how his team is doing after a long season. Ecuador, unlike other countries it has faced in recent times, such as Curacao, Indonesia or El Salvador, is a very competitive South American team that will be a good test for the Albiceleste team.
Ecuador is in fifth place in the South American Qualifiers, it has just played in the last World Cup, where it was close to reaching the round of 16: a draw against Senegal was enough, but it lost and came third in its group. Coach Félix Sánchez Bas is in charge of the squad after the departure of Gustavo Alfaro and his objective is to qualify Ecuador for a World Cup again. For this reason, they try to measure themselves as equals against renowned teams, as they already did in the Qualifiers, losing by the minimum against Argentina or beating Uruguay.
Players to watch in Argentina vs. Ecuador
As always, the big attraction will be Lionel Messi. The Argentine star wants to get to the Copa América in the best way to achieve another title. Also, the dispute that arises in attack will be interesting. For example, the options that the coaching staff handles are those of Julian Alvarez either Lautaro Martínez as forwards, or the presence from the start of Angel Di Maria, playing his last games with the light blue and white, or Nicolás González. Another point to follow will be if Nahuel Molina (who has just recovered from a tear) and Enzo Fernández (he had surgery for an inguinal hernia) add minutes.
On the Ecuador side there are several players with experience and hierarchy. The steering wheel Moisés Caicedo (Chelsea), the scorer Enner Valencia (Inter from Brazil), the defender Piero Hincapié (Bayer Leverkusen), among other important names, are part of the enthusiasm that today accompanies those led by Félix Sánchez Bas to reach the Copa América in the best way. Allen Obando is the young promise of La Tri, only 17 years old.
This is how the teams arrive
Argentina is first in the South American Qualifiers, with 15 points out of 18 at stake (they only lost to Uruguay). In the last friendlies played, they defeated El Salvador 3-0 and Costa Rica 3-1.
Ecuador, led by Sánchez Bas as coach, lost only three of the 12 games played. In the Qualifiers they are in fifth place, and for now they are in the World Cup qualification zone. In the last friendlies they beat Guatemala 2-0 and lost 2-0 against Italy.
The last precedent
The last game they played was on the first date of the South American Qualifiers, in September 2023 at the Monumental, and Argentina won 1-0 with a goal from Messi from a free kick.
When they play: date, time and live TV
The game will be played on Sunday, June 9, at 7 p.m., at the Soldier Field stadium in Chicago, with transmission by TyC Sports, Telefé and Public TV.
