Frank Christian
As reigning champions, Argentina will clash with Ecuador at NRG Stadium in Houston in pursuit of a place in the Copa America 2024 semifinals.
The Albiceleste secured victories in all three of their group stage matches, not conceding a single goal and winning the latest game 2-0 against Peru.
On the other hand, Ecuador qualified for the knockout stages by finishing level on points with Mexico but with a superior goal difference following a 0-0 draw in their group B finale.
This marks Ecuador’s second consecutive qualification for the quarterfinals of the tournament and their fourth time in the last five Copa America events.
Argentina narrowly defeated Ecuador 1-0 in a pre-tournament friendly, with their most recent Copa America encounter resulting in a 3-0 win for Argentina during the 2021 tournament.
Where to Watch Argentina vs. Ecuador: Live Stream and TV Channel
| TV channel | Streaming | |
| USA | FOX, Univision, TUDN | Fubo, Fox Sports app/website, ViX, Univision Now, TUDN app/website |
| Canada | CTV Two, TSN 4, 5, RDS | TSN+, RDS App, CTV App |
| UK | Premier Sports 1 | Premier Sports Player |
| Australia | — | Optus Sport |
| India | — | — |
USA: Watch Argentina vs. Ecuador on FOX in the US, with additional Spanish broadcast on Univision and TUDN. Stream the match on Fubo, including a FREE seven-day trial.
Spanish language coverage is also available on the streaming platform ViX.
UK: The match will be broadcast on Premier Sport Player in the UK.
Canada: TSN will air all Copa America matches in Canada with French language coverage provided by RDS.
Australia: Optus Sport is the official broadcaster for the Copa America in Australia.
India: As of now, there is no confirmation of TV or live stream coverage for the Copa America in India.
If you are unable to watch the game in your location or are traveling, consider using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to access your preferred streaming services.
Argentina vs. Ecuador Kickoff Time
The Argentina vs. Ecuador match at NRG Stadium will commence on Thursday, July 4 at 8:00 p.m. local time in Houston, Texas, USA.
Here are the kickoff times for some key regions:
| Date | Kickoff time | |
| USA/Canada | Thu, July 4 | 9 p.m. ET |
| USA/Canada | Thu, July 4 | 6 p.m. PT |
| UK | Fri, July 5 | 2 a.m. BST |
| Australia | Fri, July 5 | 11 a.m. AEST |
| India | Fri, July 5 | 6:30 a.m. IST |
Projected Lineups & Team News
Leading up to the Argentina vs. Ecuador quarterfinal, the focus will be on Lionel Messi’s fitness. Messi missed the game against Peru due to a hamstring issue but is expected to be fit for the match in Houston.
Other key players like Alexis Mac Allister, Rodrigo De Paul, and Julian Alvarez were rested in the previous match and are likely to feature in the lineup.
Anticipated Starting Lineup for the Game between Argentina and Ecuador
– Angel Di Maria returned to the starting 11 in the last match. Nicolas Tagliafico was the only defender who retained his spot. Nahuel Molina, Cristian Romero, and Lisandro Martinez are expected to join him in defense for the upcoming game.
– Lautaro Martinez, with four goals in the tournament, will lead the Argentine attack against Ecuador, with support from Alvarez and Messi.
– Projected Argentina 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.
– After missing the previous match due to suspension, Enner Valencia, Ecuador’s top goal scorer, completed the full 90 minutes against Mexico and is set to lead the attacking line against Argentina.
– Kendry Paez is a key midfielder for Ecuador, known for his positive play and speed to bypass defenders. Jeremy Sarmiento’s athleticism poses a threat to opposition defenses, while Alan Minda adds excitement as a young impact player.
– Defensive midfielder Moises Caicedo and defender Piero Hincapie provide a solid foundation for Ecuador.
– Projected Ecuador starting lineup (4-2-3-1, right to left): Dominguez (GK) — Preciado, Torres, Pacho, Hincapie — Franco, M. Caicedo — Minda, Paez, Sarmiento — Valencia.
Prediction for the Argentina vs. Ecuador Match
– Score prediction: Argentina 2-1 Ecuador
– While Ecuador has the talent to challenge Argentina, the Albiceleste are expected to demonstrate their form and determination to defend their Copa America title.
– Argentina’s depth and ability to perform under pressure should see them secure a narrow victory over Ecuador.
