Argentina vs Ecuador: Final Qualifier Preview, Lineups & Odds
Posted on Oct 15, 2025 by Lysander Templeton
When Lionel Messi, forward for Inter Miami and captain of the Argentina national football team, stepped away from the squad on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, the focus shifted to the Argentina vs Ecuador qualifier at the Estadio Monumental Banco Pichincha in Guayaquil. The match, part of the 2026 FIFA World Cup CONMEBOL qualifying campaignGuayaquil, Ecuador, marks the last fixture for both sides after they have already clinched places in next summer’s tournament.
Background to the Qualifier
Argentina entered the showdown with a league‑leading 38 points from 17 games under Lionel Scaloni, the 46‑year‑old former midfielder who has guided the Albiceleste since 2018. Their record reads 12 wins, two losses and three draws, a comfortable ten‑point cushion above rivals Brazil. Ecuador, meanwhile, secured fourth place with an iron‑clad defence that has let in only five goals across the same span. Coach Sebastián Beccacece has turned La Tricolor into a hard‑to‑break unit, conceding just one goal in their last ten qualifiers.
The hosts have a storied World Cup résumé – appearances in 2002, 2006, 2014, 2022 and now 2026 – but their recent form reads like a series of stone‑cold draws: a 2‑1 win over Venezuela in March, a 0‑0 stalemate against Chile, Brazil, Peru and Paraguay between March and September. Those goalless results underline a tactical discipline that could frustrate even a champion side.
Team News and Expected Lineups
Without Messi, Argentina will likely line up a 4‑3‑3 featuring Ángel Di María on the wing, Julián Álvarez spearheading the attack, and a midfield anchored by Rodrigo De Paul. Goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez remains the last line of defence.
Ecuador’s back line will likely retain the same eleven that kept a clean sheet against Brazil and Paraguay – centre‑backs William Pacho and Éder Álvarez, with full‑backs Luis Rodríguez and Pablo Ochoa. Up front, striker Ángelo Preciado will look to break a pattern of scoreless draws.
Betting Odds and Expert Predictions
DraftKings Sportsbook quoted odds on September 9 as +165 for Argentina, +225 for Ecuador and +175 for a draw. In fractional terms that’s 13/8, 9/4 and 7/4 respectively. Sports‑analysis site Sports Mole tipped a narrow 0‑1 win for the South Americans, arguing that while Ecuador will be “a tough nut to crack,” Argentina still possess enough firepower to edge the match.
The odds reflect the reality that both teams are already through to the World Cup. The stakes are therefore more about pride, momentum and testing tactical tweaks ahead of the North American finals.
What’s at Stake Beyond the Points
For Argentina, the game offers a chance to seal the qualifying campaign with a win that showcases the squad’s depth without their iconic captain. The blue‑and‑white side will also use the match to fine‑tune a high‑press system that Scaloni hopes to deploy against European heavyweights in June 2026.
Ecuador, on the other hand, can use a positive result to cement the defensive philosophy Beccacece has cultivated. A win would also give the nation a psychological boost heading into a World Cup draw that, on paper, pits them against a stronger group than in previous editions.
Looking Ahead to the 2026 World Cup
Both nations will travel to North America in June 2026. Argentina, the reigning champions from Qatar 2022, will be slotted into Group C alongside Poland, Saudi Arabia and Mexico. Ecuador earned a Group F berth with teams that include the United States, Netherlands and Qatar.
Scaloni has hinted that the final qualifier will serve as a rehearsal for a rotating squad system, giving younger players minutes in a low‑pressure environment. Beccacece, meanwhile, is expected to retain his pragmatic, defensively‑solid approach, hoping to surprise opponents who may underestimate La Tricolor’s ability to strike on the counter.
- Match: Argentina vs Ecuador – CONMEBOL qualifier
- Date & Time: September 9, 2025, 7 p.m. ET
- Venue: Estadio Monumental Banco Pichincha, Guayaquil (capacity 55,404)
- Broadcast: Fanatiz (US), live boxscore on FOXSports.com
- Key odds: Argentina +165, Ecuador +225, Draw +175 (DraftKings)
Frequently Asked Questions
How will Messi’s absence affect Argentina’s attack?
Without Messi, Argentina leans on a collective front led by Álvarez and Di María. The team retains creative spark through De Paul and midfielder Le Floch, but scoring depth will be tested, especially against a disciplined Ecuador defence.
What does a win mean for Ecuador’s World Cup preparation?
A victory would validate Beccacece’s defensive strategy and boost squad confidence heading into a tough Group F draw. It could also influence lineup decisions, giving the coach flexibility to experiment with a more attacking setup before the tournament.
When and where can fans watch the match?
The game kicks off at 7 p.m. ET on September 9, 2025, from the Estadio Monumental Banco Pichincha in Guayaquil. In the United States, the live feed is on Fanatiz, with a detailed boxscore streamed on FOXSports.com.
How do the betting odds reflect each team’s chances?
DraftKings lists Argentina as a modest favorite at +165, indicating the market expects a narrow win. Ecuador’s +225 odds suggest a solid underdog position, while the draw at +175 reflects the possibility of another goalless stalemate given recent results.
What historical head‑to‑head record exists between the two sides?
Argentina holds a clear advantage historically, winning the majority of their encounters. However, the last few meetings have been tightly contested, and Ecuador’s recent defensive resurgence adds an unpredictable element to this final qualifier.