Argentina - Ecuador: Injuries, sanctioned and booked players in Copa América quarterfinals

Argentina have looked pretty much invincible from what we have seen of them so far this summer’s Copa América. Lionel Scaloni has been chopping and changing his starting line-up since the tournament started, giving playing time to most of his squad and keeping them all happy. That has been unquestionably reflected in the team’s results - three wins from three, Lautaro Martínez as the competition’s top scorer and prime candidate for the Golden Boot. The Albiceleste are also the only team that haven’t conceded a single goal so far...

Ecuador will be putting them to the test at NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas tonight. La Tri’s credentials in this event are a million miles away from this evening’s opponents. The furthest they have reached is the semi-final, securing fourth place in in 1947 and 1993 although they have made it as far as the quarter finals in three of the last four editions and have beaten Argentina relatively recently - a 0-2 in Buenos Aires in October 2015, with Messi out injured.

Messi was one of two players who sat out Argentina’s last game due to physical problems. He has been struggling to shake off a minor adductor issue which medical staff was serious enough to make him miss the third group stage game against Peru. Left-back Marcos Acuña was also sat out the Peru game after picking up a muscle injury in training. His place in the side went to Nicolás Tagliafico.

Both players have since returned to training but while Messi has a good chance of starting against Ecuador, Tagliafico is expected to keep his place in the back four rather than risk Acuña unnecessarily.

Other than that, Scaloni has a fully fit squad at his disposal no players out suspended. Just three Argentina players have been booked en route to the quarter finals: Rodrigo De Paul, Gio Lo Celso and Leandro Paredes. Players only run the risk of a one-match ban if they pick up two yellow cards up to and including the quarter-finals. After that the slate is wiped clean but if a player receives a booking in the quarter final and the semis, they run the risk of missing the final.

Argentina possible starting XI against Ecuador

Emiliano Martínez, Nahuel Molina, Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martínez, Nicolás Tagliafico, Rodrigo De Paul, Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernández or Gio Lo Celso; Messi, Lautaro Martínez, Di María.

Ecuador coach Félix Sánchez also boasts a fully fit squad but he could make tactical changes to his side in an attempt to stifle Argentina’s formidable midfield. Sánchez veered from his 4-2-3-1 set-up against Mexico and could do the same in Houston, deploying a holding midfielder such as Joao Ortiz or Carlos Gruezo, going with a more attack-minded 4-3-3.

Ecuador came through the group phase with a slightly worse disciplinary record than Argentina. Kendry Páez and Jeremy Sarmiento both went into the book in the opening game defeat to Venezuela and Enner Valencia was shown a direct red for a raised boot. He has already served his ban and is available again. Moisés Caicedo and Jordy Caicedo are both on one booking, which is relatively meaningless at this stage.

Ecuador possible starting XI against Argentina

Alexander Domínguez; Ángelo Preciado, Félix Torres, Willian Pacho, Piero Hincapié, Alan Franco; Moisés Caicedo, Joao Ortiz, Kendry Páez; Jeremy Sarmiento, Enner Valencia.

The 2024 Copa América quarter final between Argentina and Ecuador will be played on Thursday 4 July 2024 at NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas, kicking off at 8 p.m. EDT/ 5 p.m. PDT.

The winners will face the team which emerges from Friday’s quarter final clash between Venezuela and Canada.