Argentina stunned by Ecuador in FIFA World Cup qualifications

The final round of Argentina of the FIFA World Cup qualifications came to a disappointing conclusion when on Wednesday it was a shock with a 0-1 defeat from Ecuador.

While Ecuador and reigning champions Argentina had already qualified for the World Cup, there was no shortage of intensity in their competition in Guayaquil.

Nicolas Otamendi from Argentina was sent away in the 31st minute and the host used his numerical advantage when Enner Valencia scored a penalty in the first half of the stop.

Ecuador was also reduced to 10 men when Moises Caicedo was fired in the 50th minute, but it held to claim the victory and to become second in the table.

Despite the loss, Argentina retained the top position in the rankings with 39 points, nine for Ecuador.

Colombia achieved third place with a 6-3 victory over Venezuela in Maturin, where Luis Suarez stealed the show by scoring four goals to extinguish Venezuelan hope to conquer the play-off place.

Uruguay finished the qualification in fourth place after a 0-0 draw with Chile in Santiago, while the strike by Matias Galarza Paraguay gave a 1-0 win over Peru in Lima, leaving them in sixth place.

Published on September 10, 2025