In the previous Copa América quarterfinals, Argentina clinched a 3-0 victory over Ecuador with two late goals, though the match was fiercely contested throughout.
Ecuador, known for their physical strength, speed, and talent, posed a formidable challenge for Argentina, as acknowledged by winning coach Lionel Scaloni. Post-match, Scaloni praised Ecuador’s emerging talent and their competitive spirit.
Looking ahead to their upcoming encounter in Houston, Scaloni remains cautious of Ecuador’s potential. Despite Argentina being in a favorable half of the draw, Ecuador stands out as their toughest opposition on the path to the final. The outcome hinges on Ecuador’s ability to elevate their performance.
The Ecuadorian journey through the Copa América group stage has been tumultuous at best. Starting with a disappointing 2-1 loss to Venezuela, they struggled through a scrappy second half but managed a hard-fought 3-1 victory over Jamaica. A crucial goal in the 90th minute secured their advancement, edging out Mexico on goal difference. Yet, their approach against Jamaica was tense and joyless, focused solely on maintaining a goalless draw.
Their survival was almost compromised when Mexico was awarded a late penalty, only for VAR to intervene and overturn the decision. Ecuador lived to fight another day, setting up a clash against the reigning world champions.
However, questions linger over their lackluster group stage performance. The early red card to captain and top scorer Enner Valencia against Venezuela left them with ten men for over 70 grueling minutes in Santa Clara’s scorching heat, setting a challenging tone for their campaign. While setbacks are common in tournaments, deeper issues have plagued Ecuador’s journey.
Ecuador faced a pivotal decision following the World Cup, appointing Felix Sanchez as head coach. Hailing from a background in Barcelona’s youth ranks and Qatar’s Aspire academy, Sanchez brought a promising pedigree, aligning well with Independiente del Valle’s player development ethos in Quito.
Sanchez’s tenure in Qatar, where he clinched the Asian championship, initially held promise. However, Ecuador’s victory over Qatar in the World Cup sparked debate among Ecuadorians questioning his appointment.
Ecuador’s football landscape is notoriously demanding. Despite a solid start to the 2026 World Cup qualifiers with 3 wins, 2 draws, and 1 defeat, criticisms about the team’s style persist. Pressure mounts on Sanchez, with dissenters hoping Copa America disappointments will force changes within the Ecuadorian Football Association.
During qualifiers, Ecuador managed just five goals, underscoring offensive challenges despite a pool of promising talents, mainly from Independiente del Valle. The defense, notably led by standout William Pacho, has shone brightly in the Copa America. However, shortcomings in attacking options persist.
The team heavily relies on aging striker Enner Valencia, whose form fluctuates despite past successes in the Premier League and Turkish leagues. His recent stint in Brazil has further tested his endurance at 34.
The absence of Brighton’s influential Pervis Estupiñán due to injury further strains Ecuador’s attacking depth, depriving them of his dynamic play from fullback.
Felix Sanchez’s decisions in the Copa America have raised eyebrows, particularly in his team selections. A coach’s role is to harness individual talents into a cohesive structure, something Sanchez has struggled to achieve so far. Chelsea’s Moisés Caicedo stands out as the team’s linchpin, but he’s been burdened with too much defensive responsibility.
Operating in a 4-2-3-1 formation, Sanchez has faced challenges integrating key players like Jeremy Sarmiento and young sensation Kendry Páez effectively. Despite their occasional flashes, the team has failed to gel, falling short of expectations.
During their match against Mexico, Ecuador’s refusal to adapt to a more assertive midfield setup akin to Venezuela’s switch proved costly. Sanchez opted to drop a winger, add an extra striker, and push Sarmiento and Páez to the flanks, disrupting their cohesion.
Looking ahead, Ecuador must refine their approach. A shift to a midfield trio or a back three, concepts Sanchez favors, could optimize their strategy. A recent friendly against Argentina demonstrated the pitfalls of their current tactics, but late adjustments showed promise, especially with the impact of substitutes like Enner Valencia.
If Ecuador replicates such adaptability, they could pose a challenge to Argentina’s Copa America defense, potentially setting the stage for an upset.
The Ecuadorian journey through the Copa América group stage has been tumultuous at best. Starting with a disappointing 2-1 loss to Venezuela, they struggled through a scrappy second half but managed a hard-fought 3-1 victory over Jamaica. A crucial goal in the 90th minute secured their advancement, edging out Mexico on goal difference. Yet, their approach against Jamaica was tense and joyless, focused solely on maintaining a goalless draw.
