Ecuador vs Argentina Ends Qualifying Stage Without Messi
The World Cup qualifying journey in South America reached a symbolic moment as Argentina wrapped up their campaign in Ecuador, but this time without Lionel Messi on the pitch. The reigning world champions had already secured top spot in the CONMEBOL standings well before kickoff, so Tuesday’s game in Guayaquil carried less pressure for them. Still, the match carried plenty of intrigue because of one thing: the absence of Messi, and the passing of the iconic No. 10 shirt, even if just temporarily.
Argentina have been dominant throughout qualifying, winning 12 of their 17 matches and collecting 38 points—ten clear of Brazil. Their form has been relentless, and it was capped off last week when Messi scored twice in a 3-0 win over Venezuela. That game was emotional, as it was widely understood to be his final competitive appearance in Argentina for the national team. Afterward, Messi confirmed he would sit out the trip to Ecuador, citing a hamstring injury and the need to rest. He made it clear he would be back with the team soon, but for now, the captain’s role was left to others.
Also Read:That “other” turned out to be Thiago Almada, the 24-year-old Atlético de Madrid midfielder. Almada has been identified as Messi’s heir in the squad, at least symbolically, by being handed the number 10 shirt. It was a huge responsibility, considering the weight that jersey carries in Argentine football. Almada had already shown flashes of brilliance, notching three goals and two assists in his young international career, including setting up one of Messi’s goals against Venezuela. Now, against Ecuador, he stepped onto the pitch with the pressure of carrying Messi’s number, even if just for one night.
As for Ecuador, they had their own reasons to be proud. They too qualified comfortably for the 2026 World Cup, and they did it on the back of an extraordinary defensive record. Across 17 games, they conceded just five goals—an incredible statistic in South American football. They may not score freely, with only 13 goals to their name, but they are resolute, disciplined, and difficult to break down. In fact, four of their last qualifiers had ended 0-0, a testament to their compact style under coach Sebastián Beccacece.
The game itself reflected both teams’ situations: Ecuador, organized and patient, against Argentina, experimenting with new combinations while resting big stars. With Messi absent, Lionel Scaloni rotated his squad, giving opportunities to players like Lautaro Martínez, Alexis Mac Allister, and Giovanni Lo Celso. For Argentina, it was less about results and more about fine-tuning ahead of defending their World Cup crown next summer. For Ecuador, it was about proving that their defense-first strategy can stand firm even against the best in the world.
In the end, this clash felt less like a high-stakes qualifier and more like a glimpse into the future—Argentina exploring life without Messi, and Ecuador showing they can hold their own on the global stage. Both teams are through to the World Cup, but the storylines around this match will be remembered not for goals, but for what it symbolized: Messi stepping aside, and a new generation slowly stepping in.
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