Argentina 1-0 Ecuador (Messi scores) in South American Qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup [VIDEO]

The world champion Argentine team defeated its equivalent from Ecuador 1-0 (partial 0-0), in a match for the first date of the South American qualifier for the 2026 World Cup played this Thursday at the Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires.

Lionel Messi (78), from a free kick, scored the goal for Albiceleste’s close victory, in a close duel.

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On the second date, which will be held next Tuesday, Argentina will visit Bolivia in La Paz (3,600 m altitude), and Ecuador will receive Uruguay in Quito.

Argentina vs Ecuador with Leo Messi (Final score)

Lineups Argentina vs Ecuador

• Argentina – Dibu Martínez, Molina, Romero, Otamendi, Tagliafico, DePaul, Enzo Fernandes, McAllister, Lionel Messi, Lautaro Martínez and Nico Gonzalez.
• Ecuador – Galíndez, Hurtado, Arboleda, Torres, Pacho, Estupiñán, Cifuentes, Gruezo, Caicedo, Plata and Valencia.

Following a late agreement, broadcast rights for Argentina’s World Cup qualifiers in the United States have been secured by Telemundo and Univision. That means viewers in the USA should be able to stream this match via ViX, TelevisaUnivision’s Spanish-language service. It will also now be broadcast on TV in Spanish language via Telemundo in the United States. Fubo subscribers can also access that channel.

The world champions are the only team in the field whose coach has been in charge for an extended period of time. Lionel Scaloni began his extraordinary five-year reign as a stand-in and ended up taking the team to glory in Qatar, successfully building a team around Messi. After lifting the World Cup, ‘the Albiceleste’ played four friendly matches: in March, they defeated Panama 2-0 and Curaçao 7-0; in June there was a series in Asia, where La Scaloneta beat Australia and Indonesia 2-0 on both occasions.

‘The Tricolor’, meanwhile, has a new coach, as Félix Sánchez Bas replaced Gustavo Alfaro after the World Cup. It begins its participation with the punishment of three points, due to the legal problem of Byron Castillo, who could not be called up. In June they beat Bolivia 1-0 and Costa Rica 3-1, both friendlies.

How to watch the game Argentina vs. Ecuador

Who will win today, Argentina or Ecuador?

What time does Argentina vs. Ecuador kick off?

This match between Argentina and Ecuador at the Más Monumental Stadium begins on Thursday, September 7 at 8:00 p.m. (ET) local time in Miami, Florida; 5:00 pm. (PT) local time in Los Angeles, California.

Here’s how that time translates across some of the major territories:

Argentina vs. Ecuador live stream, TV channel

Below we explain how to watch this game of the Conmebol Qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup in selected areas of the main regions of the world:

Where and how to watch the live telecast of Argentina vs. Ecuador in USA?

You can live stream the 2026 World Cup Qualifying Conmebol match between Argentina and Ecuador on Telemundo, TUDN USA (ViX+).

How will Argentina arrive to play Ecuador?

Yet to lose a World Cup qualifying match since taking charge of Argentina, anything but a win would be a disappointment to Scaloni and the fans even with Ecuador’s improved squad. Given the impressive form of Julian Alvarez, Argentia’s attack will be ready. A force on the international stage, this is a match that will be played on Argentina’s terms from start to finish.

How will Ecuador arrive to play Argentina?

A team that has come a long way over the past few years, Ecuador are moving in the right direction but are still too reliant on Enner Valencia. With two away matches to kick off qualifying, it’s a tough start for La Tri who will also have a three-point deduction in qualifying due to fielding Byron Castillo during the 2022 qualifying cycle. While Ecuador are good enough to qualify, starting off like this while also facing Argentina isn’t what any team needs.

Where and how to watch the live telecast of Argentina vs. Ecuador in United Kingdom?

You can live stream the 2026 World Cup Qualifying Conmebol match between Argentina and Ecuador on TBA.

Where and how to live stream Argentina vs. Ecuador in India?

You can live stream the 2026 World Cup Qualifying Conmebol match between Argentina and Ecuador on FIFA+ and DAZN.

Where and how to watch the live telecast of Argentina vs. Ecuador in New Zealand?

You can live stream the 2026 World Cup Qualifying Conmebol match between Argentina and Ecuador on FIFA+.

Where and how to watch the live telecast of Argentina vs. Ecuador in Australia?

You can live stream the 2026 World Cup Qualifying Conmebol match between Argentina and Ecuador on FIFA+.

Where and how to watch the live telecast of Argentina vs. Ecuador in Saudi Arabia?

You can live stream the 2026 World Cup Qualifying Conmebol match between Argentina and Ecuador on beIN Sport Premium.

What time and where to watch Argentina vs. Ecuador in Florida?

Starting at 8:00 p. m. ET, the latin citizens of the state of Florida will be able to watch the Argentina vs. Ecuador game live, online and in real time on PPV on Fanatiz and the streaming platform Fubo TV from the cities like Fort Lauderdale, Tallahassee, Cape Coral, Port Saint Lucie, Jacksonville, Miami, Tampa, St. Petersburg, Orlando, Tallahassee and Pompano Beach.

What time and where to watch Argentina vs. Ecuador in Nueva York?

Starting at 8:00 p. m. ET, the latin citizens of the state of Florida will be able to watch the Argentina vs. Ecuador game live, online and in real time on PPV on Fanatiz and the streaming platform Fubo TV from the cities like Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Bronx and Staten Island.

What time and where to watch Argentina vs. Ecuador in Texas?

Starting at 7:00 p. m. ET, the latin citizens of the state of Florida will be able to watch the Argentina vs. Ecuador game live, online and in real time on PPV on Fanatiz and the streaming platform Fubo TV from the cities like Houston, San Antonio, Dallas, Austin, Fort Worth, El Paso, Arlington, Corpus Christi, Plano and Lubbock.

What time and where to watch Argentina vs. Ecuador in Arizona?

Starting at 6:00 p. m. ET ET, the latin citizens of the state of Florida will be able to watch the Argentina vs. Ecuador game live, online and in real time on PPV on Fanatiz and the streaming platform Fubo TV from the cities like Phoenix, Tucson, Mesa, Chandler, Glendale, Scottsdale, Gilbet, Tempe, Peoria and Surprise.

What time and where to watch Argentina vs. Ecuador in California?

Starting at 5:00 p. m. ET, the latin citizens of the state of Florida will be able to watch the Argentina vs. Ecuador game live, online and in real time on PPV on Fanatiz and the streaming platform Fubo TV from the cities like Los Ángeles, San Diego, San Francisco, San José Fresno, Long Beach, Sacramento, Oakland, Santa Ana and Anaheim.

What time and where to watch Argentina vs. Ecuador from Washington DC?

Starting at 5:00 p. m. ET, the latin citizens of the state of Florida will be able to watch the Argentina vs. Ecuador game live, online and in real time on PPV on Fanatiz and the streaming platform Fubo TV from the cities like Seattle, Bellevue, Spokane, Tacoma, Redmond, Aberdeen and Olympia.

Previous matches, Argentina vs Ecuador

• Argentina has not lost in its last three matches against Ecuador in the South American qualifiers (2V 1E). However, La Tri’s last win against the Albiceleste in the tournament was away (2-0 in October 2015).
• Argentina has not lost in its last 21 matches in the South American qualifiers (12V 9E). It is the third longest unbeaten streak in the history of the tournament, only behind two by Brazil (31 between 1954 and 1993, and 34 from 2015 to today).
• Argentina vs Ecuador is the only clash that will be repeated for the third consecutive edition on the opening day of the South American Qualifiers. La Tri won 2-0 in October 2015 and the Albiceleste won 1-0 in October 2020.
• Lionel Messi scored goals in his last seven games for Argentina in all competitions, his longest scoring streak with the national team. He failed to score in only one of his last 14 games for his country, totaling 22 goals in that span.
• Argentina (46) and Ecuador (53) were two of the three countries that conceded the fewest shots on goal in last year’s South American qualifiers, both second only to Brazil (41).

Argentina vs Ecuador, lineups

• Argentina projected lineup (4-3-3): E. Martinez — Molina, Romero, L. Martinez, Medina — Paredes, Palacios, De Paul — J. Alvarez, Messi, Garnacho.
• Ecuador projected lineup (3-5-2): Dominguez — Arboleda, Pacho, F. Torres — Preciado, Alcivar, Cifuentes, Caicedo, Estupinan — Valencia, Rodriguez.

Argentina vs Ecuador betting odds in USA, Canada, Australia and India

Who is favorite to win? Check the predictions and bookmakers for the match for the Conmebol World Cup 2026 Qualifiers.

SOBRE EL AUTOR

Noé Yactayo

Redactor y analista SEO del Núcleo de Audiencias del Grupo El Comercio. Mis estudios los realicé en el Instituto San Ignacio de Loyola (ISIL). Experiencia en noticias de fútbol peruano, fútbol internacional (Alemania, Argentina, España, Italia, Portugal, Francia y Holanda), UFC, WWE, tenis, NBA, NFL, Fórmula 1, surf y deportes olímpicos.