Argentina’s final qualifier ended in a 1–0 defeat at Estadio Monumental Banco Pichincha, decided deep into first-half stoppage time. In the 45+13th minute, after a lengthy VAR review, Nicolás Tagliafico was penalised for a foul on Angelo Preciado. Enner Valencia stepped up on his 100th appearance and converted the penalty, striking down the middle for what proved to be the winning goal.
The match had already tilted against Argentina in the 31st minute, when Nicolás Otamendi was shown a red card for
bringing down Valencia as the last defender. Forced to reorganise, Lionel Scaloni introduced Juan Foyth for Giuliano Simeone, but Ecuador continued to press, with Emiliano Martínez saving from Valencia earlier in the half.
Argentina chased an equaliser after the interval despite their disadvantage. Giovani Lo Celso, brought on in the 68th minute, had a half-volley blocked wide by Pacho on minute 70. Three minutes later, Emi Martínez produced a sharp stop to deny Kevin Rodriguez, keeping his side in the game. Substitutions added fresh legs: Lautaro Martínez gave way for Julián Álvarez, while Franco Mastantuono replaced Leandro Paredes in the 62nd minute.
Wearing the iconic Argentina No.10 shirt, the 18-year-old Real Madrid youngster registered two shots, three touches in the box, and completed his only dribble, but could not alter the scoreline. Ecuador finished strongly and saw out the final minutes, including Moisés Caicedo’s dismissal in the 50th minute that briefly balanced the numbers. The whistle went after five added minutes, sealing a 1–0 victory for the hosts and ending Argentina’s qualifying campaign with a defeat.
Mastantuono will now return to Madrid to join Xabi Alonso’s team for a grueling series of fixtures, before the next international break in October.
