Ecuador Stuns Argentina 1-0 in Intense World Cup Qualifier Clash

In a gripping South American World Cup qualifying match held on September 9, 2025, Ecuador defeated Argentina 1-0 in Guayaquil, concluding the qualifiers with high drama and intense moments.

The match was marked early on by a significant turning point when Argentina's Nicolás Otamendi received a red card in the 31st minute for a foul on Ecuador's Valencia. This dismissal severely hampered Argentina's chances for the remainder of the game and meant Otamendi would miss Argentina's opening match at the upcoming World Cup due to the suspension carrying over from the qualifiers.

Ecuador capitalized on their numerical advantage before halftime. A controversial penalty was awarded after a VAR review following an incident where Nicolás Tagliafico's arm made contact with an Ecuadorian player’s face inside the penalty area. Enner Valencia successfully converted the penalty, diving down the center as Argentina's goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez guessed right but could not stop the shot. This goal proved to be decisive.

Although Argentina's Lionel Scaloni’s squad fought hard, their offense struggled against Ecuador’s persistent pressure throughout the match. Emiliano Martínez made several crucial saves to keep Argentina in the game. In the second half, Ecuador was temporarily leveled in numbers after midfielder Moises Caicedo was also sent off in the 50th minute, but Ecuador maintained their resilience to hold onto the lead.

Despite the loss, Argentina maintained their spot at the top of the CONMEBOL qualifying table with 39 points, nine ahead of Ecuador, who climbed to second place. Both teams had already qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but this result intensified the competitive spirit ahead of the tournament.

In related qualifiers action, Bolivia caused a major upset by beating Brazil 1-0, securing a playoff spot for next year's World Cup. Meanwhile, Colombia secured third place following a big win over Venezuela, aided by Luis Suarez's remarkable four goals.

The upcoming World Cup playoffs, set for March 2026 in Monterrey and Guadalajara, will feature teams from several confederations vying for the last two tournament spots.