Copa America holders and reigning world champions Argentina will aiim to maintain their perfect record in the United States when they face Ecuador in the last eight of the tournament at NRG Stadium in Houston on Thursday.
Ranked first in the world by FIFA, the Albiceleste have so far lived up to their billing and the opening phase of the 2024 Copa America was flawless for Lionel Scaloni's troops, who won their three group-stage encounters without conceding a single goal.
La Tri, on the other hand, set up a meeting with the world champions thanks to a goalless draw with Mexico in their Group B finale. Felix Sanchez's side finished level with Mexico on four points, but Ecuador secured a place in the knockout stages due to their superior goal difference.
Ahead of their quarterfinal match, there were lingering concerns about the fitness of Lionel Messi, who only played in two of Argentina's first three fixtures.
The Sporting News brings you all the latest team news and starting 11 for this match.
MORE: Copa America 2024 bracket and results, updated LIVE | How to watch all the Copa America action
Argentina vs. Ecuador confirmed lineups, starting 11, team news
The main talking point leading up to Argentina's Copa America quarterfinal against Ecuador on Thursday was talisman Lionel Messi's fitness.
It was no great surprise to see the 37-year-old Inter Miami star sit out the clash with Peru after he required treatment in Argentina's second game against Chile. He even admitted after the match that he had felt "some discomfort" in his right hamstring.
The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner and 2022 World Cup champion took part in full practices this week, and he has proved his fitness in time for the match in Houston. Messi has been named in the starting lineup for the match.
🏆 #CopaAmérica
— 🇦🇷 Selección Argentina ⭐⭐⭐ (@Argentina) July 5, 2024
📋 ¡Once inicial confirmado! ⚽
Así formará @Argentina 🇦🇷 para el encuentro ante #Ecuador 🇪🇨 pic.twitter.com/8f3uqsXrpP
Scaloni has also restored Alexis Mac Allister and Rodrigo De Paul to the side after they also sat out Saturday's 2-0 win over Peru on Matchday 3.
But Julian Alvarez has to be content with a place on the bench, with four-goal Lautaro Martinez retaining his place in the starting 11.
Angel Di Maria is dropped to the bench, while Nicolas Tagliafico is partnered by Nahuel Molina, Cristian Romero and Lisandro Martinez in a reunited back four.
Argentina starting lineup (4-3-3, right to left): E. Martinez (GK) — Molina, Romero, Li. Martinez, Tagliafico — De Paul, Mac Allister, Fernandez — Messi, La. Martinez, Gonzalez.
Injured: None
Suspended: None
After missing their previous encounter through suspension, Ecuador's all-time leading goalscorer Enner Valencia played the full 90 against Mexico, with John Yeboah making way.
Valencia retains his place and will be the man up top to provide a difference as he looks to add to his 41-goal international tally against the world champions.
Kendry Paez is an attacking force from midfield for Ecuador. He is very positive with the ball and uses his electrifying burst of speed to get past defenders. Jeremy Sarmiento's athleticism makes him a problem for backlines, while Alan Minda is another exciting young impact player but has to be content with a place on the bench, as Carlos Gruezo starts.
Defensive midfielder Moises Caicedo and defender Piero Hincapie create a strong spine for the team.
Ecuador starting lineup (4-2-3-1, right to left): Dominguez (GK) — Torres, Preciado, Pacho, Hincapie — Franco, M. Caicedo — Gruezo, Paez, Sarmiento — Valencia.
Injured: None
Suspended: None
📋 𝗡𝗨𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗥𝗢𝗦 𝗫𝗜
— La Tri 🇪🇨 (@LaTri) July 4, 2024
Así saltamos a la cancha esta noche en el NRG Stadium para enfrentar a 🇦🇷 en la 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗠𝗘𝗕𝗢𝗟 @CopaAmerica.
• #LaTriArgentina • pic.twitter.com/qdXfQ78Bdw
Argentina vs. Ecuador live stream, TV channel
| TV channel | Streaming | |
| USA | FOX, Univision, TUDN | Fubo, Fox Sports app/website, ViX, Univision Now, TUDN app/website |
| Canada | CTV Two, TSN 4, 5, RDS | TSN+, RDS App, CTV App |
| UK | Premier Sports 1 | Premier Sports Player |
| Australia | — | Optus Sport |
| India | — | — |
USA: Argentina vs. Ecuador from NRG Stadium will be televised in the United States on FOX, with a Spanish-language broadcast via Univision and TUDN. All three channels are available to stream on Fubo, with the latter offering a FREE seven-day trial.
Spanish language coverage is also available on streaming platform ViX.
UK: This match will be shown in the UK on Premier Sport Player's platforms.
Canada: All Copa America matches can be seen in Canada on TSN's respective TV channel and live streaming services. RDS provides French language coverage.
Australia: Australia's sole broadcaster for the Copa America is Optus Sport.
India: Unfortunately, there has been no official confirmation of TV and live stream broadcasts of Copa America in India. Reports had suggested that FanCode and Sony were ready to take up broadcast rights for the tournament but, as yet, that has not been made official. So at the moment, there is no official platform in India on which viewers can stream or any channel on which the match will be broadcast.
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