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World Cup Qualifying - South America | Group Stage
Mar 30, 2022 at 12.30am UK
 
AN
Ecuador
1 - 1
Argentina
Valencia (90+3')
Castillo (37'), Caicedo (49'), Franco (56'), Estrada (68'), Hincapie (80')
FT(HT: 0-1)
Alvarez (24')
Mac Allister (18'), Scaloni (67'), Otamendi (68'), Tagliafico (90+1')

Preview: Ecuador vs. Argentina - prediction, team news, lineups

:Headline: Preview: Ecuador vs. Argentina - prediction, team news, lineups:
Sports Mole previews Tuesday's World Cup Qualifying - South America clash between Ecuador and Argentina, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Sports Mole

Having both already secured their progression through World Cup 2022 Qualifying, Ecuador and Argentina will do battle in the final game of the round of international fixtures.

The Albiceleste sit second, having gone unbeaten so far, while their hosts have secured a top-four finish against the odds.


Match preview

Despite not being heavily fancied to take a spot in the top five of the South American World Cup Qualifying group, Ecuador managed to book their spot in the tournament in impressive fashion, having started on the front foot.

After a narrow defeat to Tuesday's opponents to kick off the campaign, La Tri recorded three straight wins to establish themselves in the leading pack, and, with 16 points from the opening 10 games, they sat in a reasonably strong position.

Gustavo Alfaro's side then put another crucial run together, going five games unbeaten as victories over Venezuela and Chile were surrounded by draws with Colombia, Brazil and Peru, putting them on the verge of qualifying heading into the last two fixtures.

They took on Paraguay last time out, knowing that a win would see them earn a top-four finish and automatic progression, and, while they were unable to take a point, a defeat for Peru meant La Tri advanced regardless.

Jordy Caicedo's late penalty was only a consolation after strikes from Robert Morales and Miguel Almiron, alongside a Piero Hincapie own goal, had given the hosts a commanding lead, but Alfaro's men will still be on a high from their qualification and will now hope to round off the Qualifying campaign with what would be an eye-catching win.

They meet an Argentinian side who have lived up to expectations, establishing themselves at the top end of the South American group having gone unbeaten thus far.

With 11 victories and five draws from their 16 matches, La Albiceleste only trail Brazil and boast a 13-point lead on Tuesday's third-placed opponents thanks to impressive records at both ends of the pitch, with only the group leaders bettering their tally of 26 goals and having conceded fewer than the seven goals Lionel Scaloni's men have shipped.

They come into Tuesday's match having won all three of their qualifying games since the turn of the year, firstly handing out defeats to Chile and Colombia in the opening round of fixtures in 2022.

La Albiceste returned to action with a home meeting against Venezuela on Friday, and goals from Nicolas Gonzalez, Angel Di Maria and Lionel Messi ensured they continued their impressive run with a dominant 3-0 victory.

With their postponed meeting with Brazil due to be played in the summer, Scaloni's men will aim to keep their slim hopes of a first-placed finish alive with an away win.

Ecuador World Cup Qualifying - South America form:
  • D
  • W
  • W
  • D
  • D
  • L

Ecuador form (all competitions):
  • W
  • W
  • D
  • D
  • D
  • L

Argentina World Cup Qualifying - South America form:
  • W
  • W
  • D
  • W
  • W
  • W

Team News

Ecuador should not make too many changes to their team despite last week's defeat, with star man and all-time top scorer Enner Valencia again set to lead the line.

Piero Hincapie continues to be a fixture at the back, and the Bayer Leverkusen man will be keen to bounce back from his own goal in the disappointing 3-1 loss.

He will likely partner Felix Torres, while Hernan Galindez will again operate between the sticks in the absence of Alexander Dominguez.

Argentina's front line will be led by talismanic captain and top scorer Lionel Messi, and Scaloni has plenty of options to choose between in the other spots.

Inter Milan's Lautaro Martinez and Paris Saint-Germain's Mauro Icardi are not involved, but Nicolas Gonzalez, Alexis Mac Allister, Joaquin Correa, Angel Di Maria and Julian Alvarez are all battling for spots in attack.

Veteran goalkeeper Franco Armani may keep his place between the sticks in the absence of first-choice stopper Emiliano Martinez, while exciting defender Lisandro Martinez is not involved, leaving Nicolas Otamendi and German Pezzella to partner up at the heart of the back four.

Ecuador possible starting lineup:
Galindez; Preciado, Torres, Hincapie, Estupinan; Gruezo, Mendez; Castillo, Mena, Rojas; Valencia

Argentina possible starting lineup:
Armani; Molina, Pezzella, Otamendi, Tagliafico; De Paul, Paredes; Gonzalez, Di Maria, A Correa; Messi


We say: Ecuador 0-2 Argentina

Even without several key attackers, Argentina boast more quality than their hosts and should not run into many issues on their way to victory.

La Tri have certainly been impressive in the qualifying campaign, but, with their World Cup place already secured, Alfaro's men may take their foot off the gas slightly.



Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting over 1.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Over 1.5:curl


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Read more about Gustavo Alfaro Jordy Caicedo Robert Morales Miguel Almiron Piero Hincapie Lionel Scaloni Nicolas Gonzalez Angel Di Maria Lionel Messi Enner Valencia Hernan Galindez Alexander Dominguez Lautaro Martinez Mauro Icardi Alexis Mac Allister Joaquin Correa Julian Alvarez Franco Armani Emiliano Martinez Lisandro Martinez Nicolas Otamendi German Pezzella Felix Torres Football
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