By Amanda Langell
Ecuador must face their toughest opponents yet at Copa America 2024 as La Tri prepare to meet the unbeaten Argentina in the quarter-finals.
Ecuador barely survived Group B at Copa America 2024, advancing to the knockout stage with four points and a second place finish thanks to their goal difference. The standings do not tell the full story, though; Felix Sanchez's squad had to play with ten men against Venezuela after Enner Valencia was sent off, and then faced Jamaica without their suspended captain.
With their group stage woes in the past, Ecuador's focus has shifted to the reigning Copa America champions. Unlike Lionel Scaloni who has enough depth and talent on his squad to rotate and rest players, Sanchez must continue relying on his favorite starting XI against Argentina if he hopes to pull off the upset of the tournament so far.
Here's what Ecuador's lineup could look like against Argentina on July 4.
Ecuador predicted lineup vs Argentina (4-2-3-1)
GK: Alexander Dominguez - Even at age 37, Dominguez is still making impressive saves for Ecuador, but he will face an entirely different challenge going against Lionel Messi and Argentina.
RB: Angelo Preciado - Preciado took a couple of knocks in Ecuador's last match against Mexico, but the right-back is ready to go for the quarter-finals.
CB: Felix Torres - Torres has played all 270 minutes at Copa America 2024, and will undoubtedly get the start alongside Pacho on the backline.
CB: Willian Pacho - Pacho has also played every minute of the tournament so far, and will need to be at his very best (along with Torres) to shut down the reigning Copa America champions.
LB: Piero Hincapie - Hincapie's skill both on and off the ball often makes him Ecuador's best player. Not only is he the most trusted man on the backline, but is also capable of getting on the scoresheet.
CM: Alan Franco - Franco is always consistent in the midfield and does well to help intercept balls and recover possession for his side.
CM: Moises Caicedo - Not only doesCaicedo control the tempo for Ecuador, but the midfielder also creates chances and plays accurate long balls to get his forwards into dangerous positions. The Chelsea player already has one assist this tournament.
RW: John Yeboah - Yeboah might not have any goals or assists to his name at Copa America 2024 just yet, but the winger has proven he can find the back of the net when called upon.
AM: Kendry Paez - Paez has been the most exciting player to watch for Ecuador this summer. At just 17 years old, the midfielder already has one Copa America goal and will make his 13th cap for his country against Argentina.
LW: Jeremy Sarmiento - Sarmiento scored Ecuador's opening goal of the tournament, and the Brighton man is developing undeniable chemistry with Paez up top.
ST: Enner Valencia - Valencia has only played 112 minutes at Copa America 2024 due to the striker's early red card (and subsequent suspension) against Venezuela. The captain will need to find his goalscoring form against Argentina if Ecuador want to advance to the semifinals.
This article was originally published on 90min.com as Ecuador predicted lineup vs Argentina: Copa America 2024.
