Match report
Ecuador Stuns Argentina 1-0 in World Cup Qualification South America
Ecuador
1–0
FT
Argentina
Sep 9, 2025
Ecuador stunned the visiting Argentina side with a 1-0 win in their World Cup Qualification South America match, securing a vital three points. Enner Valencia's penalty in the 45th minute proved decisive as Argentina struggled to cope with Ecuador's tenacious defense and the absence of Nicolás Otamendi following his 31st-minute red card.
Key Facts
- • Final score: Ecuador 1–0 Argentina
- • Enner Valencia scored the only goal from the penalty spot in the 45th minute
- • Nicolás Otamendi was sent off for Argentina in the 31st minute
- • Marcelo Caicedo received a second yellow and was also sent off for Ecuador in the 50th minute
- • Argentina made five substitutions, including Leandro Paredes, Lionel Messi, and Rodrigo De Paul
Lineups
Ecuador
Formation: 4-4-1-1
Starting XI
- 1 H. Galindez (G)
- 21 A. Franco (D)
- 4 J. Ordonez (D)
- 6 W. Pacho (D)
- 3 P. Hincapie (D)
- 17 A. Preciado (M)
- 23 M. Caicedo (M)
- 15 P. Vite (M)
- 20 N. Angulo (M)
- 19 G. Plata (F)
- 13 E. Valencia (F)
Substitutes
- 12 M. Ramirez
- 22 G. Valle
- 2 F. Torres
- 5 C. Ramirez
- 7 Y. Medina
- 10 K. Paez
- 16 D. Castillo
- 18 J. Alcivar
- 8 L. Campana
- 9 J. Yeboah
- 11 K. Rodriguez
- 14 A. Minda
Argentina
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Starting XI
- 23 E. Martinez (G)
- 4 G. Montiel (D)
- 6 L. Balerdi (D)
- 19 N. Otamendi (D)
- 3 N. Tagliafico (D)
- 7 R. de Paul (M)
- 5 L. Paredes (M)
- 17 G. Simeone (M)
- 20 A. Mac Allister (M)
- 15 N. Gonzalez (M)
- 22 L. Martinez (F)
Substitutes
- 12 G. Rulli
- 1 W. Benitez
- 2 J. Foyth
- 8 M. Acuna
- 9 J. Alvarez
- 10 F. Mastantuono
- 11 G. Lo Celso
- 13 J. Lopez
- 14 E. Palacios
- 16 N. Molina
- 18 N. Paz
- 21 A. Varela
Timeline
-
8' Argentina Card · Yellow CardL. Martinez
Foul
-
16' Ecuador Card · Yellow CardM. Caicedo
Foul
-
26' Ecuador Card · Yellow CardG. Plata
Foul
-
31' Argentina Card · Red CardNicolás Otamendi
Professional foul last man
-
38' Argentina subst · Substitution 1Off: G. Simeone · On: Juan Foyth
-
45'+8 Ecuador Var · Penalty confirmedA. Preciado
-
45' Ecuador Card · Yellow CardA. Preciado
Foul
-
45' Ecuador Goal · PenaltyEnner Valencia
-
46' Ecuador subst · Substitution 1Off: A. Preciado · On: J. Yeboah
-
50' Ecuador Card · Yellow CardM. Caicedo
Foul
-
50' Ecuador Card · Red CardM. Caicedo
Foul
-
59' Ecuador subst · Substitution 2Off: Enner Valencia · On: K. Paez
-
59' Ecuador subst · Substitution 3Off: Nilson Angulo · On: J. Alcivar
-
62' Argentina subst · Substitution 2Off: Leandro Paredes · On: F. Mastantuono
-
63' Argentina subst · Substitution 3Off: L. Martinez · On: J. Álvarez
-
65' Argentina Card · Yellow CardN. Tagliafico
Foul
-
68' Argentina subst · Substitution 4Off: R. De Paul · On: G. Lo Celso
-
68' Argentina subst · Substitution 5Off: Gonzalo Montiel · On: N. Molina
-
69' Ecuador subst · Substitution 4Off: G. Plata · On: K. Rodriguez
-
80' Argentina Card · Yellow CardLeonardo Balerdi
Foul
-
90'+3 Ecuador subst · Substitution 5Off: Unknown player · On: A. Minda
Match Stats
| Stat | Ecuador | Argentina |
|---|---|---|
| Fouls | 13 | 10 |
| Pass Accuracy | 85% | 89% |
| Offsides | 2 | 1 |
| Red Cards | 1 | 1 |
| Total Shots | 11 | 8 |
| Corners | 2 | 8 |
| Total Passes | 417 | 541 |
| Yellow Cards | 4 | 3 |
| Blocked Shots | 3 | 4 |
| Shots on Target | 4 | 0 |
| xG | — | — |
| Shots off Target | 4 | 4 |
| Possession | 43% | 57% |
| Goals Prevented | — | — |
| Accurate Passes | 354 | 481 |
| Shots Inside Box | 7 | 3 |
| Saves | 0 | 3 |
| Shots Outside Box | 4 | 5 |
Key Match Notes
- ▸ The sending off of Nicolás Otamendi in the 31st minute shifted the momentum in favor of Ecuador, who capitalized on the numerical advantage
- ▸ Enner Valencia's penalty in the 45th minute was a turning point, giving Ecuador a lead they would not relinquish despite Argentina's numerical disadvantage