In the early hours of Friday, Copa America holders Argentina face Ecuador in the first quarter-final of the 2024 edition of the competition.
ArgentinaLionel Scaloni’s team cruised through the group stages, winning all three of their games against Canada, Chile and Peru without conceding a goal. In fact, La Albiceleste has now conceded just one goal in their last five international outings.
While their defence has been rock solid lately, Inter striker Lautaro Martinez has found his shooting boots at the other end of the pitch, scoring four times in the group stage.
Argentina’s results at the Copa will not come as a significant surprise. They have won 16 of their 17 international games since beating France on penalty kicks in the World Cup 2022 final to become world champions.
As holders of the Copa America, their recent record in the competition is also stellar. They have won eight of their last nine games in 90 minutes and one in extra time.
EcuadorFelix Sanchez’s team enjoyed mixed fortunes in the group stages. They kicked off their campaign with a 2-1 defeat against eventual group winners Venezuela before beating Jamaica 3-1 and a goalless draw against Mexico last time out.
The draw against El Tri was enough to see Ecuador book their place in the knockout stages courtesy of a superior goal difference to their third-place opponents.
The game against Mexico ended Ecuador's recent run of high-scoring encounters, as their previous four international games had all produced over 2.5 goals.
Despite qualifying for the last eight of the competition, Ecuador has won just one of their previous 12 games at the Copa America. Their recent games in the competition have at least produced goals, with over 2.5 goals scored in five of their last seven Copa outings.
What am I backing?The holders have looked solid throughout the Copa, and I can’t back anything other than an Argentina victory in this encounter.
