Argentina and ecuador game

Ecuador come within inches of taking the lead. Estupinan whips a dangerous cross into the box for Valencia to attack. He send a glancing effort towards goal that evades the outstretched leg of Mena and travels wide of the right post. The game has not been allowed to flow, which is benefitting La Tri rather than Argentina. That was a poor effort from that position. The Ecuador man makes the most of the contact to win a free-kick.

Both Ecuador players require treatment, but one will be punished after the fact. Arboleda is well placed in the box and beats out the forward to head clear for La Tri. Mendez launches a fine strike on the volley towards goal that brings an outstanding save out of Martinez.

It would not have counted as Mena was offside in the build-up, but the Aston Villa man did not know that. Messi misses an absolute sitter. The year-old latches on to a horrendous backpass from Gruezo, who plays a blind ball back to Galindez. It travels straight to Messi, who only has the Ecuador keeper to beat, but his low effort strikes the inside of the right post before Hincapie clears the rebound.

La Tri need to display resilience at the back. Messi floats the resulting corner into the box and it travels towards Pezzella at the back. He chests the ball down before firing towards goal, but his effort hits the side-netting on its way wide. Messi makes arun into the box and gets the better of Arboleda.

He fires towards goal, but his effort is blocked by Estupinan. Martinez pounces on the rebound, but his shot is deflected wide by Hincapie. Martinez breaks in behind the Ecuador defence to latch on to Pezzella's ball over the top and flicks the ball past the onrushing Galindez. The forward steers a strike towards goal, but Arboleda covering back towards the line heads clear of danger.

However, he soon gets to his feet to allow play to resume. It has been a stop-start affair. He sends a cross into the middle that is deflected towards Lo Celso, but Arboleda is on hand to block his progress and win a free-kick for Ecuador. Paredes releases Martinez behind the Ecuador defence in the right-inside channel. The Inter forward fires at goal towards the near post, but his effort is saved by Galindez before Martinez gives away a free-kick for a foul on Hincapie.

Out of the 36 contests played between Argentina and Ecuador, the Albiceleste have won 21 games. Their last meeting in the Copa America occurred in where Argentina cruised to a triumph. Ecuador have made two changes to their side from their draw against Brazil last time out. Mena gets the start in the middle of the park after his goal against the Selecao, while Gruezo also comes into the fold in the final third in place of Eduar Preciado.

Scaloni has made seven changes to his side that beat Bolivia last time out. Martinez returns between the posts after missing the victory to displace Armani. Molina returns to the backline in place of Montiel. Paredes, Lo Celso and De Paul get the nod to start in the middle of the park. Martinez and Gonzalez join Messi in attack as the Albiceleste opt to leave Aguero and Di Maria on the sidelines for the start of the game.

Ecuador have not reached the semi-finals of the Copa America since , and will be aiming to make history tonight against Scaloni's men. Gustavo Alfaro's side failed to win any of their four group matches, but managed to progress to the last eight after drawing three games in a row, including a fine performance to earn a point against Brazil last time out. However, it will take something special to send Lionel Messi and company out of the tournament.

Argentina are bidding to reach the semi-finals of the Copa America for the fourth time in a row in their bid to win their first crown since By Roger Gonzalez. Jul 3, at pm ET 1 min read. Getty Images. Here's how you can watch the matches, live stream them and more: Craving even more coverage of the world's game? Our Latest Stories Liverpool vs. Crystal Palace vs. Lo Celso 71' 18 G. Paredes 71' 3 N. Tagliafico for N. Correa 4 G. Montiel 14 E.

Palacios 16 J. Player Bookings 19 G. Plata for D. Palacios 46' 11 M. Estrada for C. Gruezo 46' 23 M. Caicedo for A. Franco 70' 9 L. Preciado 83' 12 P. Pineida 28 J. Hurtado 22 A. Torres 8 F. Arreaga 6 C. Additional info. Show: All Home Away. Content Widgets Content. Mobile iPhone iPad.