- Soccer. Jurgen Klopp taunts Americans with USMNT hint on the 4th of July with cryptic message
- Copa America. Messi could make Conor McGregor richer if he does what everyone expects of him
Argentina vs Ecuador will be the first quarterfinal game of the 2024 Copa America.
The game is set to kick off at 9 pm ET from NRG Stadium in Houston Texas.
Spearheaded by superstar Lionel Messi, Argentina is the heavy favorite in the match.
The Albiceleste have won their last three Copa America quarterfinal games by a combined score of 9-1.
In terms of the direct rivalry between both nations, Ecuador have lost six of their last seven official games against Argentina.
2024 Copa America Argentina vs Ecuador LIVE updates, Thursday, July 4 at NRG Stadium in Houston.
Argentina set to play semifinals on Tuesday
The Albiceleste will find out their semifinal rival tomorrow when Canada and Venezuela face off at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
Argentina on to the Semis!
Nicolas Otamendi scored the fifth penalty shot for Argentina to qualify the Albiceleste to the Copa America semifinals
Match ends, Argentina 1(4), Ecuador 1(2).
Penalty Shootout ends, Argentina 1(4), Ecuador 1(2).
Goal! Argentina 1(4), Ecuador 1(2). Nicolás Otamendi (Argentina) converts the penalty with a right footed shot.
Goal! Argentina 1(3), Ecuador 1(2). Jordy Caicedo (Ecuador) converts the penalty with a right footed shot.
Martinez puts Argentina closer to the semifinal
The goalkeeper stopped the first two penalty shots from Ecuador
Goal! Argentina 1(3), Ecuador 1(1). Gonzalo Montiel (Argentina) converts the penalty with a right footed shot.
Goal! Argentina 1(2), Ecuador 1(1). John Yeboah (Ecuador) converts the penalty with a left footed shot.
Goal! Argentina 1(2), Ecuador 1. Alexis Mac Allister (Argentina) converts the penalty with a right footed shot.
Watch Messi hit the woodwork!
Argentina couldn't score in the first penalty shot after Lionel Messi hit the crossbar
Penalty saved. Alan Minda (Ecuador) right footed shot saved in the bottom left corner.
Goal! Argentina 1(1), Ecuador 1. Julián Álvarez (Argentina) converts the penalty with a right footed shot.
Penalty saved. Ángel Mena (Ecuador) left footed shot saved in the bottom right corner.
Penalty missed! Still Argentina 1, Ecuador 1. Lionel Messi (Argentina) hits the woodwork with a left footed shot.
Penalty Shootout begins Argentina 1, Ecuador 1.
Incredible game at NRG Stadium!
Argentina will go first in the penalty shootout to see which team gets to play in the semifinals
Second Half ends, Argentina 1, Ecuador 1.
Hand ball by Kevin Rodríguez (Ecuador).
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Delay in match because of an injury Nicolás González (Argentina).
Caicedo missed golden chance!
Jordy Caicedo almost scored to send Ecuador into the semifinals
Attempt missed. Jordy Caicedo (Ecuador) header from the centre of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Alan Minda with a cross.
Substitution, Argentina. Gonzalo Montiel replaces Nahuel Molina.
Ecuador ties the game!
Kevin Rodriguez sent the ball to the back of the net in the final minute of the game to send the match into a potential surprise penalty shootout
Goal! Argentina 1, Ecuador 1. Kevin Rodríguez (Ecuador) header from the centre of the box.
Foul by Julián Álvarez (Argentina).
Ángel Mena (Ecuador) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Attempt missed. Jordy Caicedo (Ecuador) left footed shot from the left side of the box.
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Delay in match because of an injury Nicolás Otamendi (Argentina).
Lionel Messi (Argentina) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Moisés Caicedo (Ecuador).
Substitution, Ecuador. Jordy Caicedo replaces Alan Franco.
That got to hurt!
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Delay in match because of an injury Cristian Romero (Argentina).
Attempt blocked. Ángel Mena (Ecuador) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
Intense 2nd half in Houston
Ecuador hasn't been able to have clear chances at goal after the missed penalty
Nicolás Tagliafico (Argentina) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Foul by Nicolás Tagliafico (Argentina).
John Yeboah (Ecuador) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Substitution, Ecuador. Ángel Mena replaces Enner Valencia.
Substitution, Ecuador. John Yeboah replaces Carlos Gruezo.
Substitution, Argentina. Nicolás Otamendi replaces Enzo Fernández.
Substitution, Argentina. Giovani Lo Celso replaces Lisandro Martínez.
Nicolás González (Argentina) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Foul by Nicolás González (Argentina).
Ángelo Preciado (Ecuador) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Nicolás González (Argentina).
Ángelo Preciado (Ecuador) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Substitution, Ecuador. Kevin Rodríguez replaces Jeremy Sarmiento.
Substitution, Ecuador. Alan Minda replaces Kendry Páez.
Moisés Caicedo (Ecuador) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Rodrigo De Paul (Argentina) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Moisés Caicedo (Ecuador).
Foul by Nicolás Tagliafico (Argentina).
Ángelo Preciado (Ecuador) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Attempt missed. Lisandro Martínez (Argentina) right footed shot from the centre of the box following a set piece situation.
Attempt blocked. Lisandro Martínez (Argentina) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
Rodrigo De Paul (Argentina) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Messi's first shot of the game
The Argentine striker had a chance to increase the Albiceleste's lead
Foul by Alexis Mac Allister (Argentina).
Moisés Caicedo (Ecuador) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Piero Hincapié (Ecuador) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Rodrigo De Paul (Argentina).
Attempt saved. Lionel Messi (Argentina) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Rodrigo De Paul.
Corner, Argentina. Conceded by Ángelo Preciado.
Substitution, Argentina. Julián Álvarez replaces Lautaro Martínez.
VAR Decision: Other Decision Cancelled.
Enner Valencia's shocking miss
Argentinan fans celebrated as the Ecuadorian striker's shot hit the right goalpost
(Argentina) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Attempt blocked. Piero Hincapié (Ecuador) left footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked.
Penalty missed! Still Argentina 1, Ecuador 0. Enner Valencia (Ecuador) hits the left post with a right footed shot.
Take a look De Paul's handball
The handball happened during a corner kick play at the 60th minute of the second half
Penalty conceded by Rodrigo De Paul (Argentina) with a hand ball in the penalty area.
Attempt blocked. Alan Franco (Ecuador) header from the left side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Moisés Caicedo with a cross.
Corner, Ecuador. Conceded by Lisandro Martínez.
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Delay in match because of an injury Rodrigo De Paul (Argentina).
Corner, Ecuador. Conceded by Cristian Romero.
Corner, Ecuador. Conceded by Cristian Romero.
Game stopped due to injury
Both Romero and Caicedo fell to the ground but no foul was called by the ref
Attempt missed. Lautaro Martínez (Argentina) left footed shot from the centre of the box following a set piece situation.
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Delay in match because of an injury Cristian Romero (Argentina).
Delay in match because of an injury Moisés Caicedo (Ecuador).
Lionel Messi (Argentina) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Carlos Gruezo (Ecuador).
Foul by Lautaro Martínez (Argentina).
Carlos Gruezo (Ecuador) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Enzo Fernández (Argentina) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Moisés Caicedo (Ecuador).
Second Half begins Argentina 1, Ecuador 0.
Argentina fans celebrate Martinez' goal
As we head to halftime at NRG Stadium, take a look at how Argentinian fans erupted in cheers when their country scored the first goal of the game
First Half ends, Argentina 1, Ecuador 0.
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Delay in match because of an injury Alexis Mac Allister (Argentina).
Foul by Lautaro Martínez (Argentina).
Carlos Gruezo (Ecuador) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Delay in match (Argentina).
Delay in match (Ecuador).
Foul by Nicolás González (Argentina).
Ángelo Preciado (Ecuador) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Attempt missed. Enzo Fernández (Argentina) left footed shot from the left side of the box.
Argentina's goal deserves another look
Martinez broke the stalemate at the 36th minute after Ecuador had managed to secure the game's best chances at goal
Lautaro Martínez (Argentina) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Foul by Piero Hincapié (Ecuador).
Argentina gets on the scoreboard
Lisando Martinez found the back of the net with a header
Goal! Argentina 1, Ecuador 0. Lisandro Martínez (Argentina) header from the left side of the six yard box following a corner.
Corner, Argentina. Conceded by Willian Pacho.
Attempt blocked. Enzo Fernández (Argentina) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Lionel Messi.
Enner Valencia (Ecuador) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Alexis Mac Allister (Argentina) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Enner Valencia (Ecuador).
Alexis Mac Allister (Argentina) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Moisés Caicedo (Ecuador).
Close call in Ecuador's goal
An Enzo Fernandez' header went wide amid Argentina's best offensive minutes of the game
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Delay in match because of an injury Enner Valencia (Ecuador).
Attempt missed. Enzo Fernández (Argentina) header from the centre of the box.
Foul by Cristian Romero (Argentina).
Enner Valencia (Ecuador) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Attempt blocked. Alexis Mac Allister (Argentina) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
Nahuel Molina (Argentina) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Piero Hincapié (Ecuador).
Corner, Ecuador. Conceded by Nicolás Tagliafico.
Offside, Argentina. Lautaro Martínez is caught offside.
Martinez saves Argentina!
Ecuador's best chance at goal arrived at the 15th minute mark
Attempt missed. Ángelo Preciado (Ecuador) right footed shot from the centre of the box is too high. Assisted by Enner Valencia.
Foul by Alexis Mac Allister (Argentina).
Moisés Caicedo (Ecuador) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Attempt missed. Kendry Páez (Ecuador) right footed shot from the centre of the box is too high.
Attempt saved. Jeremy Sarmiento (Ecuador) right footed shot from the left side of the six yard box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Moisés Caicedo.
Cristian Romero (Argentina) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Kendry Páez (Ecuador).
Corner, Ecuador. Conceded by Lisandro Martínez.
Alexis Mac Allister (Argentina) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul by Carlos Gruezo (Ecuador).
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Delay in match because of an injury Moisés Caicedo (Ecuador).
Ecuador on the attack
Moises Caicedo had a clear shot in front of the net for Ecuador in the first minutes of the match
Offside, Argentina. Lautaro Martínez is caught offside.
Rodrigo De Paul (Argentina) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Jeremy Sarmiento (Ecuador).
First Half begins.
Family means everything to Messi
Fans at NRG stadium witnessed a heartfelt moment between Lionel Messi and his family
Final thoughts ahead of Argentina vs Ecuador
The Fox Soccer analysts offered their take on what's expected from the game in Houston
Fans ready for tonight's game
The players have headed to the locker room after warmups and fans in the stands are set to cheer on their national team.
Atmosphere outside NRG Stadium is electric
Argentina fans will pack the Houston, Dallas stadium to cheer on their national team in tonight's game against Ecuador.
Copa America trivia
Did you know that Diego Maradona and Pelé never won a Copa America tournament?
Tonight's Starting 11
Enner Valencia will captain the Ecuador National Team as the underdogs of tonight's quarterfinal.
For Argentina, Lionel Messi is back in the squad after missing the last group stage game.
Antonela and the Kids are in the house
Lionel Messi's family has arrived at NRG Stadium for tonight's quarterfinal
Is Lautaro Martinez the Copa America MVP so far?
The Albiceleste forward has scored the most goals in the tournament so far.
Behind him are eight players with two goals each
Lineups are announced and players are warming up.
Kickoff from NRG Stadium and odds
Kickoff is at 9:00 PM ET at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas.
Here are the latest odds for the match:
Argentina vs. Ecuador money line: Argentina -250, Ecuador +950, Draw +320
Argentina vs. Ecuador over/under: 2.5 goals
Argentina vs. Ecuador spread: Argentina -1.5 (+135)
Argentina vs. Ecuador to advance: Argentina -750, Ecuador +490
Where to watch Argentina vs Ecuador on TV
Wondering where you can tune in live to catch the game this 4th of July?
The first quarterfinal of the tournament will be broadcast on FS1 & Univision, and if you want the streaming options, the game can be viewed on FUBO.
All set in Houston for Argentina vs Ecuador
Argentina haven't lost in the Copa America since the 2019 semifinals
The defending champions, Argentina, continue their pursuit of a fifth consecutive title defense as they face Ecuador in the quarterfinals of Copa America 2024.
The Argentinians secured their 15th Copa America title in 2021 by defeating Brazil, a win that tied them with Uruguay for the most championships in the tournament's history.
Argentina's impressive run in the Copa America has been characterized by a strong defense.
They haven't lost a match in the tournament since the 2019 semifinals against Brazil.
This year, they dominated the group stage, winning all three matches without conceding a single goal, continuing a trend of defensive solidity with clean sheets in 14 of their last 17 games across all competitions.
Ecuador, on the other hand, are no strangers to the quarterfinals, having reached this stage in three of the last four editions of the Copa America.
Their campaign started with a narrow 2-1 defeat to Venezuela but saw a resurgence with a 3-1 win over Jamaica and a goalless draw against Mexico.
Ecuador's defense has been particularly notable, as they have not conceded a goal in the first half of any group-stage matches, a testament to their organized and resilient backline.
The game promises to be a thrilling encounter, with Argentina's attacking prowess and Ecuador's defensive resilience set to clash in what could be a defining moment in Copa America 2024.
Follow all the action from the Argentina vs Ecuador game of the 2024 Copa America right here on the MARCA English LIVE.
First semifinalist set!
The Albiceleste is the first team to qualify for the 2024 Copa America semifinals