- Argentina face Ecuador at Copa America 2024 on July 4 at 9 p.m. ET
- Lionel Scaloni is expected to stick with Lisandro Martinez alongside Cristian Romero
- Lionel Messi is a game-time decision after sustaining a minor injury against Chile
Argentina kicks off the Copa America 2024 knockout stage on July 4 against Ecuador, and Lionel Scaloni has a few tough decisions to make about his lineup.
Argentina breezed through the group stage at Copa America 2024, earning all nine points and conceding zero goals against Canada, Chile, and Peru. The reigning Copa America champions topped Group A and therefore get to face Ecuador, the second place finishers from Group B, in the quarter-finals.
Despite La Albiceleste's success, the squad has had their fair share of obstacles to overcome. Lionel Scaloni earned a suspension for Argentina's late exits from halftime, and Lionel Messi sustained a minor right groin/adductor injury against Chile. If the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner cannot start on Thursday, then his manager must decide who will go on in his place.
Here's what Argentina's starting XI could look like against Ecuador in Houston, Texas.
