Argentina defeated Ecuador 1-0 at Soldier Field in Chicago in an international friendly ahead of the 2024 Copa America in the United States. Angel Di Maria scored the winner in the first half, with Lionel Messi coming off the bench for the final 35 minutes.
International Friendly
Di Maria scores, Messi comes off the bench as Argentina beat Ecuador 1-0 at Soldier Field
With Lionel Messi coming off the bench, Argentina beat Ecuador 1-0 in an international friendly at Soldier Field thanks to a first-half goal from Angel Di Maria. Find out all the moments of the game here.
- Angel Di Maria names his successor on the Argentina National Team: 'He's incredibly talented’
- Benfica star Angel Di Maria claims Lionel Messi is way better than Cristiano Ronaldo
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Argentina beat Ecuador 1-0 in Chicago
That's all for today! Argentina claimed a 1-0 friendly win over Ecuador in their first game in the June international window, and you lived every moment of the game with us, here on Bolavip. We hope you enjoyed it!
Thanks for staying with us and we'll see you next time!
FULL TIME!
Argentina beat Ecuador 1-0 with Di Maria's goal.
Pitch invader!
A pitch invader enters the field but security stop him before he could greet Messi.
92' - Yellow card in Argentina
Nicolas Gonzalez gets booked for an ugly challenge on Kendry Paez, who is still in pain.
90' - Four minutes added
Four more minutes will be played at Soldier Field.
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85' - More subs in Argentina
Lucas Martinez Quarta and Exequiel Palacios enter the pitch, with Gonzalo Montiel and Rodrigo de Paul leaving the game.
77' - More substitutions
Nicolas Gonzalez replaces Paredes while Angel Correa comes on for Julian Alvarez in Argentina.
Angel Mena takes Sarmiento's spot in Ecuador.
75' - Dibu saves
Alan Franco sent the ball to the box but Martinez intercepted it to keep things 1-0 for Argentina.
71' - Argentina still leading
Ecuador can't find ways to own the ball with Argentina looking to be aggressive whenever they get possession.
66' - Another yellow card for Ecuador
Gruezo gets booked for a strong challenge on Paredes.
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61' - Enner Valencia comes on for La Tri
Two substitutions in Ecuador: Enner Valencia for Alan Minda and Carlos Gruezo for Joao Ortiz.
59' - Argentina looking for the second goal!
Messi almost set up the second for Argentina, but Enzo Fernandez couldn't finish it off as Galindez left him no space.
55' - MESSI COMES ON!
Lionel Messi sends Soldier Field into a frenzy as he comes on for Di Maria.
48' - Galindez saves!
Hernan Galindez saved a dangerous header by Lautaro Martinez.
46' - Messi warms up!
Fans at Soldier Field are going wild as Messi is already warming up on the sidelines.
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Messi still on the bench: Second half underway!
The second half gets underway at Soldier Field.
Even though Messi was expected to come on, it looks like he'll be playing less than 45' in Chicago.
HALFTIME
Argentina lead Ecuador 1-0 at the break thanks to Di Maria's goal.
Watch: Di Maria's goal
Here's the video of Di Maria's opener for Argentina.
¡GOLAZO DE DI MARÍA! 💥 Ya lo gana Argentina 1 - 0 sobre Ecuador en partido #AmistosoEnFOX. 📺
43' - Di Maria hits the crossbar!
The Argentine winger almost extended the lead shortly after the opener.
39 - ARGENTINA TAKE THE LEAD! (1-0)
Angel Di Maria scored the opener in Chicago with a beautiful finish inside the box.
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33' - Acuña tries!
Marcos Acuña with another shot for Argentina but it goes to the stands.
Watch: Galindez's save
Galindez dove to his left to deny Lisandro Martinez's opener.
ATAJADÓN DE GALÍNDEZ. 👏 El arquero ecuatoriano le negó a la 'Albiceleste' el primer gol del partido. 😎 #AmistosoEnFOX
29' - Mistake at the back! (0-0)
Hernan Galindez almost lost the ball in the build-up and Julian Alvarez forced a corner kick for Argentina.
25' - Galindez saves Ecuador! (0-0)
Hernan Galindez saved a dangerous shot by Lisandro Martinez to keep things level in Chicago.
Messi expected for the second half
A reminder that Lionel Messi is on the bench, with Argentine NT insider Gaston Edul of TyC Sports reporting Leo will play in the second half.
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20' - First chance for Argentina!
Di Maria's effort went wide but it was his side's first shot in the game.
Video: Caicedo's yellow card
Watch Caicedo's foul on Lautaro.
¿AMISTOSO? ¡Primera amonestación y es para Ecuador! 🇪🇨 Dura entrada de Caicedo que ya lo pintaron de amarillo. #AmistosoEnFOX
Tempers flare
De Paul and Caicedo have a heated moment as the Argentine midfielder is still furious at the Ecuadorian for the foul on Lautaro.
13' - Argentina taking control
After a poor start, Argentina are slowly taking control of possession.
10' - First yellow card for Ecuador
Caicedo was booked for a strong challenge on Lautaro Martinez.
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9' - Ecuador continue to dominate
Ecuador continue to put pressure on Argentina, who are unable to take the ball away from La Tri.
Ecuador fans boo Dibu Martinez
Those in attendance who are rooting for Ecuador boo and whistle the Argentine keeper whenever he touches the ball.
4' - Aggressive start by Ecuador
La Tri started the game aggressively, looking for the opener in Chicago.
0' KICK-OFF!
The game is underway at Soldier Field.
National anthems played
Both nations listen to the national anthems as the game is about to get underway.
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The teams take the field!
Argentina and Ecuador are walking out to the field. Time for the national anthems before kick-off.
Kick-off in 10 minutes!
Warm up is over! Both Argentina and Ecuador are in the locker rooms to get ready for the match.
Only 10 minutes for kick-off!
Teams warm up
Both Argentina and Ecuador are already performing warm-up drills at Soldier Field.
Kick-off in almost 20 minutes!
Argentina's lineup confirmed!
Argentina have confirmed their lineup with Messi on the bench.
🏆 #SelecciónMayor 📋 ¡Once inicial confirmado! ⚽ Así formará @Argentina 🇦🇷 para el encuentro ante #Ecuador 🇪🇨 ¡Se vienen los campeones!
Messi starts on the bench
Argentine national team insider Gaston Edul of TyC Sports reports Messi will play the second half for Argentina.
This is how La Albiceleste will reportedly line up today: Emiliano Martinez; Gonzalo Montiel, Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martinez, Marcos Acuña; Rodrigo De Paul, Leandro Paredes, Giovani Lo Celso; Julian Alvarez, Lautaro Martinez, Angel Di Maria.
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Ecuador's lineup confirmed!
This will be Ecuador's starting lineup against Argentina at Soldier Field today.
Nuestro 11 de hoy para el partido contra Argentina. ¡Vamos Ecuador! @PilsenerEcuador
How do Argentina and Ecuador arrive in this game?
Both teams play for the first time in the June international window.
In March, Argentina claimed friendly wins over El Salvador (3-0) and Costa Rica (3-1) in the US.
That month, Ecuador beat Guatemala 2-0 before losing 2-0 to Italy.
Teams already at the stadium
Both Argentina and Ecuador are already at Soldier Field for tonight's game!
The most beautiful colours are ready to go! 💙🤍 #ArgentinaNT
Llegamos al 𝗦𝗼𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗲𝗿 𝗙𝗶𝗲𝗹𝗱 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗱𝗶𝘂𝗺. 🔜🇦🇷🆚🇪🇨 #VamosLaTri 🇪🇨
Argentina vs Ecuador: Head-to-head
This will be the 40th meeting between Argentina and Ecuador.
La Albiceleste gain the upper hand in the all-time record with 23 victories, 11 draws and just five defeats. Argentina are also on a great streak against La Tri, with five wins and a draw in their last six matches.
Last time they met, a Lionel Messi free-kick golazo gave his nation the win in the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers.
Tonight's stage
Soldier Field is home to the NFL franchise Chicago Bears, but it has also seen many soccer games throughout its rich history.
It was one of the 1994 World Cup venues, hosting five games in that tournament, including the inaugural match between Germany and Bolivia.
Most recently, Soldier Field held four Copa America Centenario games in 2016: Venezuela 1-0 Jamaica, USA 4-0 Costa Rica, Argentina 5-0 Panama, and Chile 2-0 Colombia.
A general view of Soldier Field.
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Tonight's referees
Canadian ref Drew Fisher will officiate tonight's game between Argentina and Ecuador. He'll be joined by American assistants, with Luis Uranga and Ryan Graves as linemans and Greg Dopka as the fourth ref.
- Referee: Drew Fisher (Canada)
- Assistant 1: Luis Uranga (USA)
- Assistant 2: Ryan Graves (USA)
- 4th referee: Greg Dopka (USA)
Will Messi play?
One of the biggest questions fans are making is whether Lionel Messi will play for Argentina today.
The Inter Miami star is expected to suit up for La Albiceleste, but not from the get-go. According to ESPN Argentina, the 36-year-old will come off the bench in the second half.
On Saturday, coach Lionel Scaloni said: “(Messi) will probably play. I don’t know if it’ll be the whole game, 30 minutes or 60 minutes. But he’ll play. The fans will be able to see him which is more important."
How to watch in the US and kick-off time
The game will kick off at 7 PM (ET).
There are different broadcast options to watch Argentina-Ecuador in the USA: Fubo (free trial), FOX Deportes, TyC Sports Internacional.
Argentina play Ecuador in the US
Welcome to our live blog of Argentina vs Ecuador!
La Albiceleste and La Tri clash at Soldier Field in Chicago in their first exhibition game of the June international window before they embark on the 2024 Copa America in the US.
On Bolavip, we'll bring you everything you need to know about this exciting game. Stay with us and don't miss a single thing!
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