Argentina’s quest to win back-to-back Copa America titles kicks into excessive gear on Thursday, when the knockout phases start with their faceoff with Ecuador.
The reigning champions are the heavy favorites on this matchup after profitable every of their three video games within the group stage, however Lionel Messi’s health is an enormous speaking level heading. Argentina may need sufficient firepower in assault to outlive Messi’s absence if he can’t make it, however they may first must tackle an Ecuador facet that rescued their Copa America marketing campaign after a tough begin.
This is what you have to know earlier than tuning in.
Methods to watch and odds
- Date: Thursday, July 4 | Time: 9 p.m. ET
- Location: NRG Stadium — Houston, Texas
- TV: Fox | Reside stream: Fubo (Strive free of charge)
- Odds: Argentina -230; Draw +310; Ecuador +750
Storylines
Argentina: Issues are up to now, so good for the reigning champions, who gained all of their video games within the group stage and have but to concede a aim. They’ve finished this with and with out Messi, who performed of their first two video games and assisted Lautaro Martinez’s aim in opposition to Canada however missed the Group A finale in opposition to Peru. Messi was not precisely wanted since they’d already certified for the quarterfinals, which afforded head coach Lionel Scaloni an opportunity to indicate off his depth. It was a profitable trial — Martinez scored twice, bringing as much as 4 objectives up to now on the Copa America.
There is no query that Argentina would reasonably have Messi out there than not, although. Many will likely be inspired by the truth that he returned to coaching on Tuesday, however his questions on his availability will linger till the staff information drops on Thursday. Early indicators are that he’ll begin with studies in Argentina suggesting as a lot.
Ecuador: Ecuador had been positioned in a positive group with Venezuela, Mexico and Jamaica however needed to survive a chaotic begin to the competitors to complete second in Group B. Enner Valencia’s purple card and their subsequent loss to Venezuela meant they wanted outcomes in opposition to Jamaica and Mexico, which favored Ecuador because the Concacaf groups had been removed from their greatest on the Copa America. Valencia’s return will assist issues, however the staff now has to show themselves in undoubtedly their hardest check of the competitors up to now. They are going to be inspired by the truth that they held Argentina to a 1-0 win final month in a pleasant, however Scaloni opted to rotate that day — together with benching Messi.
Predicted lineups
Argentina: Emiliano Martinez, Nahuel Molina, Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martinez, Nicolas Tagliafico, Rodrigo De Paul, Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernandez, Nicolas Gonzalez, Lionel Messi, Julian Alvarez
Ecuador: Alexander Domínguez, Angelo Preciado, Felix Torres, Willian Pacho, Piero Hincapie, Alan Franco, Moises Caicedo, Kendry Paez, Jeremy Sarmiento, Kevin Rodriguez, Enner Valencia
Prediction
That is Argentina’s recreation to lose and with or with out Messi, they are going to be up for the duty. Anticipate the reigning champions to lean on a number of attacking gamers as they choose up their newest victory of the Copa America, and certain choose up a clear sheet within the course of. Choose: Argentina 3, Ecuador 0