World Cup 2022: Let the Party Begin!

Ecuador vs Argentina

World Cup 2022 qualifying is nearing a close but in South America there is an element of calm.

Certainly, as far as this contest in northern Guayaquil in the early hours of Wednesday morning is concerned.

For after many months of World Cup 2022 highlights, both these nations are assured of a place in the Qatar showpiece towards the end of 2022.

With that in mind, can Ecuador now claim a rare victory against the two-time world champions and Copa America holders?

Talking Points

That may seem unlikely given the Ecuadorians lost 3-1 in Paraguay on Thursday, a match in which they were well-beaten.

However, the third-placed side in the CONMEBOL standings have claimed one of the four automatic qualifying berths after Uruguay, in fourth position, beat Peru 1-0 in Montevideo, a result that also allowed them to book their flight to Qatar.

Gustavo Alfaro’s squad will be eager to end Argentina’s undefeated form in their next World Cup qualifiers — Ecuador coach Gustavo Alfaro coaches on the touchline during their qualifying match against Paraguay

Ecuador and Uruguay have now reached 25 points and can no longer be overtaken by other teams.

While they were sealing their place a few days ago, Lionel Scaloni has led Argentina to the tournament with plenty to spare.

In fact, La Albiceleste currently sit second in the South American qualifying table, 13 points clear of their opponents next week and four points adrift of runaway leaders Brazil.

So this contest is not exactly vital and Scaloni will again have to make do without suspended quartet, goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, defender Cristian Romero and midfielders Giovani Lo Celso and Emiliano Buendia.

FIFA suspended all four as punishment for the aborted World Cup qualifier away to Brazil last autumn.

All four were accused by Brazilian health authorities of breaking quarantine rules when they lined up for their national side in Sao Paulo.

Health authorities stopped the match after just five minutes due to their presence, resulting in both teams walking off the pitch.

The quartet were playing their club football in England at the time – Lo Celso has since joined Villarreal on loan from Tottenham – and were subject to stricter health protocols in Brazil than players based in other countries.

My SBOTOP colleague tells me that, far from resting on their laurels, Argentina are aiming for a big finish and that was shown in the early hours of Saturday morning when ran out 3-0 winners over Venezuela – Nicolas Gonzalez, Angel Di Maria and Lionel Messi the scorers.

They will want to extend their 30-match unbeaten run, last losing to the Selecao at the 2019 Copa America.

Of course, Argentina exacted revenge in last summer’s Copa when they ended a 28-year-wait for a trophy and remain unbeaten, alongside Brazil, in this qualifying campaign.

They are firm favourites for this tie, but now Ecuador, initially one of a sextet harbouring qualification hopes, are there, perhaps they can relax and help make this an occasion to savour for La Tri.

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If the truth be known, Ecuador fans have been at the dreaming stage since January when a 1-1 draw with runaway group leaders Brazil.

And even accounting for the omens before kick-off on Thursday night – Ecuador had already lost on all eight previous trips to Paraguay for World Cup qualifiers dating back to 1981 – the defeat will be quickly forgotten amongst the celebrations.

For them, reaching the World Cup finals for only the fourth time in their history is something special.

Let the party begin!

History

Only five times in 81 years have Ecuador defeated Argentina.

The first ever meeting was in the 1941 Copa America when JM Marvezzi netted five of the goals in a 6-1 Argentina victory.

It wasn’t until 1994 that Ecuador managed to defeat them for the first time, in a friendly, while the most recent win was in Buenos Aires in 2015 when two goals in a minute, in the final nine minutes, from Frickson Erazo and Felipe Caicedo, secured a 2-0 win.

Since then, Argentina have defeated them on four successive occasions by an aggregate score of 13-2.

The most recent clash was in last summer’s Copa America quarter-final – a tournament Argentina won – courtesy of goals from Rodrigo De Paul, Lautaro Martinez and Lionel Messi.