Argentina will not have Lionel Messi or Cristian Romero available, yet still hope to claim first place in South American qualifying campaign. Ecuador under Sebastian Beccacece have demonstrated impressive defensive resilience and will look to avoid three point deduction.
This sets the stage for the argentina national football team vs ecuador national football team timeline to be closely watched by fans.
Last competitive match between Ecuador and Bolivia took place as an international friendly in 1994, where Ecuador secured a narrow 1-0 victory thanks to Byron Zosimo Tenorio.
| Date | Competition | Venue | Result | Key Events |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 9, 2025 | 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifier | Estadio Monumental Banco Pichincha, Guayaquil | Ecuador 1–0 Argentina | Enner Valencia scored from a penalty; Nicolás Otamendi sent off for Argentina. |
| Jul 4, 2024 | Friendly Match | Argentina | Argentina 1–1 Ecuador | Match played in Argentina; teams drew. |
| Jun 9, 2024 | Friendly Match | Soldier Field, Chicago | Argentina 1–0 Ecuador | Argentina secured a narrow win. |
| Jul 7, 2023 | 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifier | Argentina | Argentina 1–0 Ecuador | Argentina won at home. |
| Mar 29, 2022 | 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifier | Estadio Monumental, Buenos Aires | Ecuador 1–1 Argentina | Match played in Argentina; teams drew. |
Argentina
Argentina’s national football team is one of the best-known teams in international football. Its history is impressive and includes some of the game’s finest players making their mark under red and white colours. Argentina is popularly known as Los Pumas, or The Cats due to their distinctive feline mascot which has featured on national shirts since 1932.
Argentina and Uruguay fans have long held an intense rivalry, dating back to early South American Championships and 1928 Summer Olympic games. When Uruguay won their inaugural World Cup tournament in 1930, this further fuelled this rivalry; though Argentina lost out that year’s competition it wouldn’t be the last time.
In the 1960s, Argentina experienced mixed results on its national team, highlighted by an exciting victory against Brazil at the 1962 South American Championships. Unfortunately, their success would decline the following year as they lost 3-1 against England due to allegations of referee corruption that caused widespread public boycotting and boycott calls by local press outlets and fans.
After their poor showing at the 1966 World Cup, Argentina would need to wait some time before reaching another major tournament finals. They eventually finished third at the 1974 Copa America tournament despite defeating Brazil (3-0) and Ecuador; unfortunately though they would lose to Colombia in quarter-final play-offs.
Following this tournament, the Argentine Football Association would make changes and hire Carlos Bilardo as coach – known for his close attention to details and meticulous coaching style, this former Estudiantes de La Plata star would help turn around results; leading Argentine to victory at 1982 Copa America group stage competition.
Argentina would advance to the semi-finals of 1986 World Cup in Mexico City before losing on penalties to West Germany – an encounter marked by pitch invasion by some home supporters, as well as debate as to whether the match had been fixed.
Ecuador
Ecuador, located on the northwest corner of South America, is home to 16.3 million people. Dubbed La Tricolor for their iconic flag design, Ecuador boasts a long and storied soccer tradition featuring many skilled players – making their World Cup debut back in 2002 and progressing all the way through to Round 16 before finishing fourth overall at Copa America tournaments in 2006! Additionally, Ecuador have competed in four Copa America tournaments where their best finish ever was fourth place overall.
Ecuador’s national team found its greatest success during the 2006 World Cup under coach Luis Fernando Suarez, with Ivan Hurtado leading their scoring efforts with 168 caps while Agustin Delgado being an important source of motivation for all.
Ecuador have never managed to beat Argentina in competitive head-to-head matches, yet came close during the 2024 Copa America quarter-finals when they held Lionel Scaloni’s side to a 1-1 draw before losing on penalties – highlighted by Lionel Messi misskicking his penalty during shootout and giving Sebastian Beccacece’s Ecuador a chance at victory.
Beccacece has brought structure and identity to a team that once struggled for consistency. His high-energy style draws inspiration from Marcelo Bielsa and emphasizes tactical discipline, unity and speed – characteristics which the team has been unbeaten under since being under his guidance for World Cup qualifying cycles.
Though Ecuador does not possess as extensive a squad as some of the other top nations in CONMEBOL, their national team remains strong. Chelsea star Moises Caicedo sets an effective tone in midfield while Enner Valencia leads attack with gusto.
Club Brugge center back Pervis Estupinan and AC Milan left back Joel Ordonez form one of the top defensive units in South America and offer great depth at center back; these players could prove formidable on an international stage; Ecuador takes on Honduras before starting tournament play on March 26.
Head-to-head records
Argentina and Ecuador share an extensive football rivalry dating back decades. Over these four meetings, Argentina won 25 times to Ecuador’s four. Both nations show great respect for each other as players on both teams have developed over time, progressing from friendly matches into fiercely competitive ones over time.
Argentina remains a powerhouse, winning multiple World Cup titles with legendary players like Lionel Messi at its side; Ecuador remains a young squad, yet has made strides that could put it on par with Argentina at some point down the road to reach World Cup qualification.
First time these two teams met was in a friendly international match in 1989, which resulted in a draw and neither side scoring. But in 1994, Ecuador finally triumphed over Argentina with a 1-0 victory courtesy of Byron Zosimo Tenorio’s goal in that game.
Since then, both teams have competed in the Copa America tournament together; Argentina winning six out of eight times they faced off and Ecuador two of four times. Furthermore, Argentina have prevailed 3-0 when meeting Ecuador during World Cup qualifying matches; Ecuador then beat them 3-1 during another encounter played in 2021.
Both teams have something to prove in this game; the defending champions will want to continue their dominance against an underdog side such as Ecuador while their underperforming forwards may attempt to make up ground on them in front of goal. While this match might remain low scoring overall, its outcome could have significant ramifications on standings.
Lionel Scaloni will give some of his fringe players an opportunity to shine without Lionel Messi due to his ongoing hamstring injury. Nic Gonzalez, Alexis Mac Allister, Lautaro Martinez and Giovanni Lo Celso may compete for starting roles.
Argentina have been impressive during World Cup qualifiers so far and currently top their group with 38 points from 17 matches; to win this tournament they need to maintain this impressive form.
Schedule
Argentina national football team is widely recognized as one of the greatest teams ever assembled and for good reason. Winning numerous major international tournaments over its long history, such as Diego Maradona’s four World Cup wins and numerous Copa America crowns, its players include some of history’s greatest talent such as Diego Maradona. Furthermore, Argentina boasts more Copa America championship titles than any other country and boasts multiple Copa America titlists among its ranks than any other.
Argentina first participated in an international match in 1901; although some historians recognize a game between two Argentine teams on 20 June 1902 as the official first match.
At the 1928 Olympic Games, Argentina secured silver after defeating United States 11-2, Belgium 6-3 and Egypt 6-0 in an intense final. Both teams had chances to score before penalty shoot-outs were necessary – with only Lionel Messi being successful with his shot at conversion.
Argentina responded well after their defeat at the 1970 World Cup by hiring Juan Jose Pizzuti as its coach in 1969; that year he led his nation’s squad to victory at the 1971 Roca Cup tournament.
Argentina went into the 1978 World Cup with high expectations, and they did not disappoint. Winning all three group matches – beating Romania and France while drawing with England – Argentina managed a spotless campaign before encountering Germany, who proved highly competitive throughout. Although a close contest ensued between both teams, Germany eventually prevailed by one goal.
At the 1980 World Cup, Argentina was one of the favorites to take home the title. Led by some of their most exciting players like Gabriel Batistuta and Diego Simeone, Argentina were led to victory over Jamaica with an emphatic 5-0 scoreline; making their game with Jamaica especially noteworthy as one of only a few matches to end with more than four goals being scored against them.
Argentina will play two friendly matches in the United States during October – however, their opponents have yet to be confirmed – before concluding their 2025 season in November with trips to Angola and Kerala; dates have yet to be set.
