Ecuador vs Argentina Preview & Prediction | 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifying (CONMEBOL)

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With both nations having already booked their passage to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a Lionel Messi-less Argentina travel to Guayaquil to take on a defensively resolute Ecuador outfit.

Kick-off date/time:

How to watch on TV: UK – Premier Sports / US – Not televised

How to watch online: UK – Premier Player / US – Fanatiz

Key stats

• Ecuador have lost only one of their last 16 World Cup qualifying matches (W7 D8). They are unbeaten in ten (W4 D6).
• Ecuador are unbeaten in their last 14 World Cup qualifying matches at home (W8 D6), since a 2-1 defeat against Peru in June 2021.
• Ecuador have kept 12 clean sheets in their last 14 World Cup qualifying matches.
• Ecuador’s last four World Cup qualifying matches finished without a goal being scored.
• Argentina are unbeaten in their last eight international matches against Ecuador (W6 D2).
• Argentina have won five and drawn one of their last six World Cup qualifying matches.

Ecuador vs Argentina prediction

Ecuador may have surrendered second place to Brazil in their penultimate fixture of CONMEBOL qualifying, but it was yet another clean sheet for a side who have conceded just five goals across the whole section.

Their goalless draw with Paraguay was par for the course for Sebastian Beccacece’s side, who have lost the fewest games – two – of all the teams in the current campaign.

With qualification to the World Cup already assured, their only motivation here is to finish as high up as possible, although they have been handed the toughest possible opponent with runaway section winners Argentina having been a class above the other South American nations.

The world champions will, however, be missing Lionel Messi, who is sitting this one out after scoring twice in what is likely to be his last ever competitive international on home soil (the 3-0 victory over Venezuela).

Ecuador boast the strongest defence among their fellow CONMEBOL nations, while Argentina will be missing their top goalscorer, so under 2.5 goals is probable in this one.

Ecuador vs Argentina tip: Under 2.5 goals