Lionel Messi Set to Shine as Argentina Faces Ecuador in 2024 Copa America Quarterfinals
Lionel Messi is back in action as the Albiceleste gear up for their first knockout game in the 2024 Copa America against Ecuador at the NRG Stadium in Texas this Thursday. Having easily navigated the group stages, Argentina now faces a potential challenge in this quarterfinal clash.
Match Preview
Ecuador finished in 2nd place in Group B in the 2024 Copa America standings and have stepped up to the plate in the competition. Their most recent outing ended in a goalless draw against Mexico, highlighting their solid defense. As they prepare to face Argentina, Ecuador aims to deliver another strong performance.
On the other hand, Argentina finished at the top of Group A in the tournament and are in excellent form. The Albiceleste have been in stellar form, and they will look to maintain their momentum in this critical knockout match.
Team News
Argentina: Lionel Messi, the Argentine captain, sat out the final group stage match due to hamstring discomfort but has participated in full training sessions this week and is expected to return for the quarterfinal. Alongside Messi, key players like Alexis Mac Allister, Julian Alvarez, and Rodrigo De Paul were rested in their last match but are set to start against Ecuador. Lautaro Martinez has been in scorching form, scoring in 4 consecutive matches, including a brace against Peru. Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez has not conceded a goal in his last four Copa America appearances dating back to 2021.
Ecuador: Enner Valencia, Ecuador’s all-time leading scorer, made a full return from suspension in their last group-stage match, replacing John Yeboah. Valencia’s inclusion was the only change in their starting lineup from the previous fixture. Jose Hurtado came off the bench for Angelo Preciado in the dying moments of the match. Goalkeeper Alexander Dominguez registered his first clean sheet of the tournament against Mexico, his first since a 2-0 victory over Guatemala in March.
Predicted Lineups
Argentina (4-3-3): Emiliano Martinez; Nahuel Molina, Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martinez, Nicolas Tagliafico; Angel Di Maria, Rodrigo De Paul, Alexis Mac Allister; Lionel Messi, Lautaro Martinez, Julian Alvarez
Ecuador (4-2-3-1): Alexander Dominguez; Angelo Preciado, Felix Torres, Piero Hincapie, Jackson Porozo; Moises Caicedo, Carlos Gruezo; John Yeboah, Kendry Paez, Jeremy Sarmiento; Enner Valencia
Copa America 2024 TV Channel and Live Streaming
| Argentina | DGOTyC Sports PlayTelevisión PúblicaTelefe ArgentinaDIRECTV Sports ArgentinaTyC Sports Argentina |
| Australia | Optus Sport |
| Austria | DAZN AustriaSportdigital FUSSBALL |
| Bangladesh | T Sports |
| Bolivia | Unitel En VivoUnitelTyC Sports InternacionalTigo Sports BoliviaInter SatelitalCOTEORComteco |
| Brazil | Canais GloboZappingClaro TV+Sky+SporTV |
| Canada | TSN+RDS AppCTV AppTSN4RDS 2CTV TwoTSN1 |
| Chile | DGO13.clChilevisionDIRECTV Sports ChileCanal 13TyC Sports Internacional |
| Colombia | DGOCaracol PlayCaracol TVRCN TelevisionDIRECTV Sports ColombiaDeportes RCN En VivoTyC Sports Internacional |
| Costa Rica | TDMAXViXTUDNRepretel Canal 6Repretel En VivoTD +TD7 |
| Croatia | Arena Sport 2 Croatia |
| Uruguay | DGOAUF, TVDIREC, TV Sports Uruguay, TyC Sports Internacional, TV Ciudad |
| Ecuador | DGODIRECTV Sports EcuadorEcuavisa EcuadorTyC Sports Internacional |
| France | MolotovFreeL’Équipe Live FootL’Equipe |
| Germany | DAZN GermanySportdigital FUSSBALL |
| Great Britain | Premier Sports Player, Premier Sports 1 |
| Greece | ANT1+ANT1 |
| Hong Kong | HOY TV |
| India | FanCode |
| Italy | Mola TV, SportItalia |
| Korea Republic | TVING, tvN Sports |
| Malaysia | Astro, Gosooka, Astro Supersport 4 |
| Mexico | TUDN, En Vivo, ViXTUDN, Azteca Deportes, En Vivo, Canal 5, Televisa ,Azteca 7 |
| Netherlands | Viaplay Netherlands |
| Nigeria | StarTimes, AppCanal+ Sport 1, Afrique , Startimes , Sports Arena |
| Paraguay | SNT Paraguay, Telefuturo , TyC Sports Internacional, Tigo Sports Paraguay |
| Peru | DGODIRECTV, Sports Peru, América Televisión, TyC Sports Internacional |
| Portugal | Sport TV , MultiscreenSport TV2 |
| South Africa | StarTimes App, Startimes Sports Arena |
| Spain | Movistar+3, CatTV3, Movistar Plus+ |
| USA | fuboTVTUDN.com, Univision, NOWFoxsports.com, TUDN App, ViX , FOX Sports App, Fox Sports 1, TUDN USA, Univision SiriusXM , FCTUDN Radio |
Leave a comment