World Cup Tickets: FIFA Qualifier Ecuador 1-0 Argentina Scaloni Says Messi's Life is Difficult After Albiceleste
World Cup Tickets: Lionel Scaloni recognized that substituting some of Argentina's expert performers, including Lionel Messi, will be stimulating, as the squad got a taste of life without them in their 1-0 loss to Ecuador on Tuesday.
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With Angel Di Maria now discharged from worldwide football, Lionel Messi revitalized, and Nicolas Otamendi sighted red after just 31 minutes in Guayaquil, a young-at-heart Argentina squad chipped to Enner Valencia's consequence 13 minutes into first-half strike time.
Having already secured their place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Argentina closed out their South American qualifying campaign with a narrow 1–0 defeat to Ecuador. Despite playing the final 40 minutes with a numerical advantage after Moisés Caicedo was shown a red card, Argentina couldn’t find a breakthrough in Guayaquil, marking a rare stumble for the reigning world champions.
The result was significant not just for the scoreboard but also for its broader implications. It officially ended Argentina’s reign at the summit of the FIFA World Rankings, a position they’ve held since April 2023. Spain, bolstered by recent performances in UEFA competitions and upcoming competitive fixtures, is set to overtake them after the conclusion of this month’s international window.
Football World Cup Tickets: Messi Angel Di María and Nicolás Otamendi are the Key Players of Argentina’s
Lionel Messi, who was rested for the final qualifier, still managed to finish the campaign as the top scorer in CONMEBOL with eight goals, a personal milestone, as it's the first time he has led the scoring charts in a World Cup qualifying cycle. The Argentine captain has now been at the heart of the national team for over two decades, during which he’s captured eight Ballon d'Or titles and played a vital role in a golden era of Argentine football.
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Alongside Messi, veterans Ángel Di María and Nicolás Otamendi have formed the backbone of Argentina’s recent international success. The trio played crucial roles in Argentina’s Copa America triumphs in 2021 and 2024, as well as the 2022 World Cup win in Qatar. However, with Di María officially retired from international duty and both Messi and Otamendi unlikely to continue beyond the 2026 World Cup in North America, the national team is bracing for a transition.
Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni was candid in his assessment following the loss to Ecuador. “It's clear that some of the players who have moved on, or are about to, are of a very high standard,” he said. “We now have the responsibility to find new names capable of carrying that legacy and keeping us competitive.”
FIFA World Cup Tickets: Ecuador Took Advantage of Argentina's Numerical Lead to Win
He acknowledged that replacing players of such stature won’t be straightforward. “They’ve set a very high bar,” Scaloni admitted. “But we will keep putting our faith in the system that brought us success, understanding that sometimes you come up against teams that simply perform better on the day.”
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The defeat came under challenging circumstances. Argentina was reduced to 10 men in the first half after Otamendi was sent off in the 31st minute. Ecuador capitalized on the numerical advantage and went ahead through a penalty converted by Enner Valencia deep into first-half stoppage time. The game’s dynamics shifted again after Caicedo's dismissal early in the second half, but Argentina still couldn’t muster enough attacking quality to draw level.
Scaloni reflected on the sport’s rotating points: “The red card initially in the match altered our tactics. We tried to respond and control the game in the second half, and I think we did, but lacked the edge in the final third. These things happen, you don’t win every match, especially against opponents of Ecuador’s quality.”
FIFA World Cup Final Tickets: Ecuador Has Settled into a Status as a Defensive Team
Indeed, Ecuador has developed a reputation as a defensive powerhouse in the region. With this result, they’ve now recorded nine clean sheets in their last 10 qualifiers. Their compact backline and organized midfield managed to restrict Argentina to just 0.34 expected goals, a reflection of how few meaningful chances the visitors created.
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Despite the defeat, Scaloni remained upbeat. “There are motionless many positives to revenue away. The players gave their all, and we stayed true to our identity even in adversity. We’ve had a strong run in recent years, and losing doesn’t erase the progress we’ve made.”
The Argentine coach also recognized that with no more official matches left in 2025, it will be challenging to retain their high FIFA ranking. While Argentina will use the October and November international windows for friendly matches, Spain, and possibly other European nations, will gain more points through competitive fixtures in the Nations League and European Championship qualifiers.
Football World Cup 2026 Tickets: Argentina’s Scaloni was satisfied with the future
Still, Argentina’s place among the football elite is not in question. With World Cup qualification secured early and two straight Copa America titles under their belt, the focus will now shift to preparing for the 2026 tournament in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. That tournament is likely to be the last for several of the squad’s most experienced players.
“You always want to win,” Scaloni said. “But days like this repeat us that nonentity is certain. What matters is how we respond, both the young players and those who still have more to give. We’re building towards something bigger.”
In the absence of Messi, and with Di María no longer in the picture, the burden fell to Argentina’s next generation. However, inexperience showed at times. The rhythm and chemistry that defined their recent golden period seemed to be missing. Still, with several promising players emerging, Scaloni remains hopeful the transition will be smooth.
“This is a segment of the advancement of any squad,” he concluded. “Great performers arise and spirit, but the shirt leftovers. We’ll work to safeguard the future is just as bright.”
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