Argentina are unbeaten in eight meetings with Ecuador, albeit their Copa América quarter-final last summer did finish 1-1, with the eventual winners sneaking through via a penalty shootout in Houston.
Ecuador vs Argentina preview
These two nations can both relax, having both already rubber stamped their spots at next summer's World Cup, so the pressure is firmly off at Estadio Monumental Isidro Romero Carbo. Argentina will finish top of a ten-team CONMEBOL qualifying table for the first time since 2002, having impressivly won 12 of 17 fixtures to date, losing just three, including beating Brazil home and away for the first time ever, memorably smashing their fiercest rivals 4-1 at the Monumental in March.
On Thursday night, la Albiceleste continued their unbeaten streak by demolishing Venezuela 3-0 in Buenos Aires. The night, more than likely, marked Lionel Messi's last ever appearance in a competitive match on home soil, so the captain duly scored twice, taking his tally to 114 international goals. After this trip to Guayaquil, Lionel Scaloni's side will just have friendlies before commencing their World Cup title defence next June, so will Argentina flex their muscles on the road?
As for Ecuador, they too will be in North America next summer, set for a fifth World Cup appearance, all of which have come since the start of the new millennium, debuting in 2002. However, to say that Sebastián Beccacece's team have achieved this in an unexciting away would be an understatement. On Thursday, la Tri held Paraguay to a goalless draw in Asunción; that doesn't begin to tell the story.
This was Ecuador's fourth consecutive 0-0 draw, after also holding Chile, Brazil and Peru to scoreless stalemates in World Cup qualifiers this year. So, across 17 CONMEBOL qualifiers, Ecuador have scored just 13 goals but conceded only five, meaning their games average a goal every 85 minutes. In an 18 game qualification cycle, the fewest goals a nation has conceded is five, achieved by Brazil last time round, a record la Tricolor could equal with a clean sheet here. Also, the last four encounters between these two nations have witnessed just six goals, so don't tune in for a goal-fest.
Ecuador vs Argentina head-to-head record
- Matches Played: 41.
- Ecuador Wins: 5. Draws: 11. Argentina Wins: 25.
Ecuador team news
Alan Franco can return to midfield, having been suspended in Paraguay on Thursday, but Sebastián Beccacece isn't forecast to make too many changes, despite the fact this is a dead rubber.
Arsenal's latest new signing Piero Hincapié and Pervis Estupiñán, who has just left Brighton, will start in defence. Moisés Caicedo of Chelsea sat out Ecuador's last game due to a slight knock, but is expected to be available for this one.
Kendry Páez, another player of Chelsea's books, scored against Jamaica during last summer's Copa América, becoming the second-youngest scorer in the tournament's 109-yer history, netting in Las Vegas at the age of 17 years and 53 days, so will he cause Argentina problems in Guayaquil?
Ecuador predicted lineup vs Argentina: (3-5-1-1): Galíndez; Ordóñez, Pacho, Hincapié; Alcívar, Caicedo, Franco, Vite, Estupiñán; Páez, Valencia.
Ecuador player to watch vs Argentina
Captain Enner Valencia will win his 100th cap, just the seventh Ecuadorian man to achieve this. His tally of 46 goals is a national record, on target the last time Argentina visited Guayaquil, so will he mark his landmark occasion with a goal?
Argentina team news
As he was on Thursday, Enzo Fernández remains suspended following his red card against Colombia in June. Rodrigo De Paul and Leandro Paredes were the starting midfield duo against Paraguay, but Alexis Mac Allister and Exequiel Palacios aren't bad alternatives are they?
Julián Álvarez remains Lionel Scaloni's first-choice striker, chosen over Lautaro Martínez. If the manager wants to experiment, Nicolás Paz of Como as well as Franco Mastantuono of Real Madrid could see more action; the former came off the bench on Thursday, while the latter started.
Argentina predicted lineup vs Ecuador: (4-4-2): Martínez; Molina, Romero, Otamendi, Tagliafico; Mac Allister, De Paul, Almada Mastantuono; Messi, Álvarez,
Argentina player to watch vs Ecuador
In his career, Lionel Messi has made 72 appearances in CONMEBOL World Cup qualifiers, set to break Ecuadorian Iván Hurtado's all-time record in this match, having scored 36 goals, also a record, following his double against Venezuela.
This is set to be his last qualification appearance, so will he mark the occasion with a goal, adding to his tally of seven against Ecuador, only netting against Bolivia with greater frequency?
Ecuador vs Argentina prediction
As already outlined, given that Ecuador are involved, this is unlikely to be a high-scoring thriller, so we're forecasting a draw that'll satisfy both, as they have already qualified: Ecuador 1-1 Argentina.
Ecuador vs Argentina FAQs - World Cup qualifier
How to watch Ecuador vs Argentina in World Cup qualification on TV channel?
Ecuador vs Argentina in World Cup qualification will be available on the following TV channels;
- UK: Premier Sports 1
- USA: Fanatiz USA
- Canada: Fanatiz Canada
How to watch Ecuador vs Argentina in World Cup qualification on live streaming?
Ecuador vs Argentina in World Cup qualification will be available on the following streaming services;
- UK: Premier Sports Player
- USA: Fanatiz USA
- Canada: Fanatiz Canada
What is the date and kick-off time for Ecuador vs Argentina in World Cup qualification?
Ecuador vs Argentina takes place on Tuesday 9 September 2025, with kick off at 00:00am (BST), 19:00 (EDT) & 16:00 (PDT).