Argentina will face Ecuador in Houston on July 4 in the first of the 2024 Copa América quarter-finals.
The reigning champions won all three of their games to top Group A in the opening stages of this tournament without ever conceding a goal, but injury concerns for captain Lionel Messi have created something of a distraction ahead of this match.
Meanwhile, Ecuador finished level with Mexico on four points after the teams drew 0-0 in their Group B finale, but Felix Sanchez’s side claimed a place in the knockout stages thanks to their superior goal difference.
They are the underdogs in this match, but with Kendry Paez in their ranks, who is leaving for Chelsea, they are capable of springing a surprise.
Jugo Mobile is following Argentina vs. Ecuador live, providing score updates, commentary and highlights as they happen.
Argentina vs Ecuador live
| First half | Top scorers | |
| Argentina | — | |
| Ecuador | — |
Venue: NRG Stadium, Houston
Referee: Andres Matonte (URU)
Starting lineups:
Argentina (4-3-3, from right to left): 23. E. Martinez (GK) — 26. Molina, 13. Romero, 25. Li. Martinez, 3. Tagliafico — 24. Fernandez, 7. De Paul, 20. Mac Allister — 10 Messi, 15. Gonzalez, 22. La. Martinez
Ecuador (4-2-3-1, from right to left): 22. Dominguez (GK) — 17. Preciado, 2. Torres, 6. Pacho, 3. Hincapie — 21. Franco, 23. M. Caicedo — 8. Gruezo, 10. Paez, 16. Sarmiento — 13. Valencia.
Argentina vs Ecuador live, highlights and summary of the Copa America 2024
30 minutes before the start: Fans are starting to fill up NRG Stadium. It should be a full house.
In the building ?️ image.twitter.com/p1Yim8gPLn
— CONMEBOL Copa América™️ ENG (@copaamerica_ENG) July 5, 2024
50 minutes before the start: ECUADOR STARTING LINEUP
The men of Ecuador ? image.twitter.com/lctvVBXSJq
— CONMEBOL Copa América™️ ENG (@copaamerica_ENG) July 4, 2024
1 hour before kick-off: Argentina’s starting eleven
Messi is a starter for Argentina with Lautaro Martinez preferred to Julian Alvarez in attack.
Argentina’s headlines ? photo.twitter.com/k4O9uZkAy7
— CONMEBOL Copa América™️ ENG (@copaamerica_ENG) July 4, 2024
1 hour and 20 minutes before the start: The team lineups are just 20 minutes away. Lionel Messi is expected to be called up for Argentina.
1 hour and 40 minutes before the start: Tonight’s game will be played at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas, which has a capacity of 72,220.
A fan holds a flag with images of Diego A. #Maradona and Lionel #Messi Outside the stadium before CONMEBOL @America Cup Quarter-final match between @Argentina and @LaTri at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas.
Further #Getty Sports Video ?Buddha Mendes ? https://t.co/L6ndjB16Oy image.twitter.com/vXPVkjy28D
— Getty Images Sport (@GettySport) July 4, 2024
2 hours before the start: The quarter-finals of the Copa America are upon us. Can Ecuador pull off a surprise and eliminate the current champion, Argentina?
All roads lead to Miami ? photo.twitter.com/yUJWi1ti6P
— CONMEBOL Copa America™️ (@CopaAmerica) July 4, 2024
Argentina vs Ecuador Start time
This Copa America match kicks off at NRG Stadium on Thursday, July 4 at 8:00 pm local time in Houston, Texas, USA.
Here’s how that time translates to some of the world’s major territories:
| Date | Start time | |
| United States/Canada | Thursday, July 4th | 9 pm Eastern Time |
| United States/Canada | Thursday, July 4th | 6 pm Pacific Time |
| United Kingdom | Friday, July 5th | 2 am BST |
| Australia | Friday, July 5th | 11am AEST |
| India | Friday, July 5th | 6:30 am IST |
Argentina vs Ecuador lineups, team news, starting XI
The main topic of conversation ahead of the Copa America quarter-final between Argentina and Ecuador will be the talisman Lionel Messi‘s It was no big surprise to see the 37-year-old Inter Miami star sidelined for the clash with Peru after having to undergo 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 winner has been taking part in full training this week and there is confidence Messi will prove his fitness in time for the game in Houston.
Coach Lionel Scaloni also gave rest to players like Alexis MacAllister, Rodrigo De Paul and Julian Alvarez for Saturday’s 2-0 win over Peru in Matchday 3, all of them should return to the starting lineup for this match.
Angel Di Maria regained his place in the starting eleven last time out, while Nicolas Tagliafico He was the only defender who kept his position and Nahuel Molina, Christian Romero and Lisandro Martinez He should join him in the back four here.
With four goals in this competition so far, including a brace against Peru, Inter Milan’s top scorer Lautaro Martinez He is set to lead Argentina’s attack against Ecuador, flanked by Alvarez and Messi.
Argentina’s projected starting lineup (4-3-3, right to left): E. Martinez (GK) — Molina, Romero, Li. Martinez, Tagliafico — Di Maria, De Paul, Mac Allister — Messi, La. Martinez, Alvarez.
Argentina substitutes (maximum 15): The list of players called up for the match is published one hour before the start
After missing his previous match due to suspension, Ecuador’s all-time top scorer Enner Valencia He played the 90 minutes against Mexico, with Juan Yeboah He will be the man to make the difference up front and look to add to his international tally of 41 goals against the world champions.
Kendry Paez He is an offensive force in Ecuador’s midfield. He is very positive on the ball and uses his electrifying burst of speed to get past defenders. Jeremy Sarmiento‘s His athleticism makes him a problem for defensive lines, while Alan Minda He is another exciting young impact player.
Defensive midfielder Moses Caicedo and defender Piero Hincapie Create a strong backbone for the team.
Ecuador’s projected starting lineup (4-2-3-1, right to left): Dominguez (GK) — Preciado, Torres, Pacho, Hincapie — Franco, M. Caicedo — Minda, Paez, Sarmiento — Valencia.
Ecuadorian Subs (maximum 15): The list of players called up for the match is published one hour before the start
Argentina vs Ecuador live broadcast, tv channel
| television channel | Transmission | |
| USA | FOX, Univision, TUDN | FuboFox Sports App/Website, ViXUnivision Now, TUDN app/website |
| Canada | TSN 4, 5, RDS, CTV Two | TSN+ app, RDS, CTV app |
| United Kingdom | First 1 Sports | Top-level sports player |
| Australia | — | Optus Sport |
| India | — | — |
USA: The Argentina vs. Ecuador match from NRG Stadium will be televised in the United States on FOX, with Spanish-language broadcasts on Univision and TUDN. All three channels are available for streaming on Fuboand the latter offers a FREE 7-day trial.
Spanish-language coverage is also available on the streaming platform. ViX.
UNITED KINGDOM: This match will be shown in the UK on Premier Sport Player platforms.
Canada: All Copa America matches can be watched in Canada via TSN’s television channel and live streaming services. RDS offers coverage in French.
Australia: Australia’s only broadcaster for the America’s Cup is Optus Sport.
India: Unfortunately, there has been no official confirmation of the live and TV broadcast of the Copa America in India. Reports suggested that FanCode and Sony were set to acquire the broadcast rights for the tournament, but as of yet that has not been made official. Therefore, at this point in time, there is no official platform in India on which viewers can stream nor any channel on which the match will be broadcast.
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