Ecuador 1-0 Argentina Player Ratings: Angelo Preciado Rated 8/10 as Valencia Penalty Decides Fiery 10-Man Clash 1-0

The WC Qualifiers CONMEBOL Match, which was supposed to be a showcase of skills and tactical superiority, suddenly turned into a war zone in which both sides were equally involved. Both teams till the 15th-minute mark found it difficult to find a breakthrough, courtesy of a world-class display of defense from both teams. The frustration kept on growing till the 32nd minute, until it found its first victim, Argentine Defender Nicolas Otamendi, who was sent off for cutting off a promising Venezuela National football team goal-scoring attack. However, the home side was able to keep the scoreline at 0-0 before the visitors found the opening goal through a penalty just before the half time whistle was blown.

The drama escalated in the second half when Moises Caicedo’s second yellow at 53 minutes leveled the playing field at 10 men each, intensifying the stakes. By 72 minutes, the match remained a fiery, foul-laden duel, with Argentina unable to equalize as the Estadio Monumental Banco Pichincha roared. As the game moved forward to the last 10 minutes, it got more heated and intense as the current world champions were not ready to take a loss on their name.

The rest of the game was a scrappy affair. Argentina huffed and puffed but lacked any real cutting edge or creativity against a determined Ecuadorian defence. It was a massive, if ugly, win for Ecuador at the Estadio Monumental Banco Pichincha, a result that will feel huge for their WC Qualification South America campaign.

Here are Ecuador Vs Argentina Player Ratings

Ecuador Player Ratings vs Argentina

Here are Ecuador Player Ratings vs Argentina

Goalkeeper

Hernán Galíndez - 6.5: We barely noticed Galíndez for large parts of the game, which is a testament to his defence. He commanded his area well and made the saves he was expected to make. One key save from a Nilson Angulo shot was crucial. He wasn't truly tested by a disjointed Argentina attack.

Defenders

Piero Hincapié - 7.0: A really solid and composed performance from Hincapié. He was strong in the tackle, winning most of his duels and making a couple of vital interceptions. His passing from the back was tidy, helping to relieve pressure. What stood out to us was his calmness even when the game descended into chaos.

Joel Ordóñez - 6.5: A quiet but effective evening for the central defender. He held his position well and dealt with what little threat Argentina's forwards posed. He looked a little shaky on the ball at times, but defensively he did his job without any fuss.

Willian Pacho - 6.5: Pacho was another key part of a backline that gave Argentina nothing. He made a couple of important clearances and stood tall. He was caught out once or twice but recovered well. A disciplined performance overall.

Alan Franco - 6.5: Playing a hybrid role, Franco was all about industry and breaking up play. He put in a real shift, drawing fouls and frustrating Argentina's midfield. His stats don't jump off the page, but his disruptive presence was important in a game like this.

Midfielders

Pedro Jeampierre Vite Uca - 6.0: Vite kept the ball moving in midfield with a high pass completion rate but struggled to create anything of note. He was neat and tidy in possession but from our perspective, he needed to be more incisive. A decent but unremarkable performance.

Angelo Preciado - 8.0: Our man of the match, despite only playing 45 minutes. He was an absolute livewire on the right flank, terrorizing the Argentine defence with his pace. He created a big chance and, most importantly, won the penalty that decided the contest. A real shame his night was cut short by injury.

Moisés Caicedo - 4.0: A night of absolute madness from the midfielder. He picked up a silly first-half yellow card and then, just after his team gained a man advantage, he made another reckless challenge to get himself sent off. It was an incredibly naive display that could have cost his team dearly.

Nilson Angulo - 7.0: Angulo was a bright spark for Ecuador, especially in the first half. He was direct, looked to take players on, and forced a good save out of Emiliano Martínez. He seemed to run out of steam before being substituted, but his early energy was vital.

Forwards

Enner Valencia - 7.5: He was the hero of the night. Valencia showed immense composure to step up and bury the crucial penalty under huge pressure. Outside of the goal, he was often isolated and missed one big chance, but he delivered the winning moment and that's what counts for a striker.

Gonzalo Plata - 5.5: A very frustrating performance from Plata. He missed a golden opportunity with a header early in the game and his decision-making was poor throughout. He lost possession far too many times and never looked like a threat before being substituted.

Substitutes

John Yeboah - 6.0: Came on for the injured Preciado and put in a shift defensively but offered little going forward.

Kendry Páez - 6.0: Showed a few nice touches but couldn't really impact the game.

Jordy Alcívar - 6.0: Helped to shore up the midfield after Caicedo's red card.

Kevin Rodríguez - 6.5: Looked lively when he came on and tested the keeper once.

Manager

F. Sanchez Bas - 7.0: His team was fired up and played with immense passion. He set them up to be hard to beat and they executed the plan perfectly. His side kept their heads while Argentina lost theirs, and he managed the game well after both red cards.

Argentina Player Ratings vs Ecuador

Here are Argentina Player Ratings vs Ecuador

Goalkeeper

Emiliano Martínez - 6.5: Had no chance with the penalty. He made a couple of smart saves in the first half to keep his side in it, particularly one from Nilson Angulo. He looked assured, but was ultimately let down by his defence.

Defenders

Nicolás Tagliafico - 4.5: A disastrous evening for the left-back. He was clumsy and rash to give away the penalty that ultimately cost his team the match. A poor decision that capped off a nervy performance where he was booked and struggled defensively.

Leonardo Balerdi - 6.0: We felt for Balerdi, who was left exposed after Otamendi's red card. He did his best to hold the fort and was solid under difficult circumstances. He couldn't do it all on his own, though.

Nicolás Otamendi - 2.0: The worst performer on the pitch by a mile. A moment of sheer madness saw him receive a straight red card for a last-man foul. It was an inexcusable error from a senior player that completely sabotaged his team's game plan and gifted Ecuador the initiative.

Gonzalo Montiel - 6.0: A standard, unspectacular performance from Montiel. He was defensively sound enough but provided very little impetus going forward. He was substituted as Argentina chased the game.

Midfielders

Leandro Paredes - 5.5: From our perspective, this was a game that passed Paredes by. He couldn't get a foothold or dictate the tempo as he likes to. The chaotic nature of the match didn't suit his style, and he was largely ineffective before being subbed.

Rodrigo De Paul - 6.0: We noticed his frustration. De Paul tried to drive his team forward but was met by a wall of yellow shirts and a flurry of fouls. He worked hard but his usual creative spark was missing, and he lost possession too often.

Alexis Mac Allister - 6.5: One of Argentina's better players in a poor team display. He was industrious, won his tackles, and recovered the ball frequently. He tried to inject some quality but was fighting a losing battle in a dysfunctional midfield.

Nico González - 7.0: Argentina's standout player. His work rate was phenomenal, winning a staggering number of duels and constantly battling for the team. While the final product was lacking, his effort and commitment could not be faulted. He was a lone bright spot.

Giuliano Simeone - N/A: Sacrificed after Otamendi's red card just 38 minutes in. Had no time to make any sort of impact on the game.

Forwards

Lautaro Martínez - 5.0: A really poor and anonymous performance from the striker. He picked up an early yellow card and was a non-factor for the rest of his time on the pitch. He never looked like scoring and was easily handled by the Ecuadorian defence.

Substitutes

Juan Foyth - 6.0: Came on to fill the gap left by Otamendi and was steady.

Franco Mastantuono - 5.5: Couldn't provide the spark Argentina needed.

Julián Alvarez - 6.0: Was more mobile than Lautaro but similarly starved of service.

Giovani Lo Celso - 6.0: Had one blocked shot but failed to change the game's dynamic.

Manager

L. Scaloni - 5.0: A tough night for the manager. His team showed a complete lack of discipline, culminating in Otamendi's red card. His subsequent tactical changes failed to create chances, and his side looked toothless in attack against ten men.

Sportsdunia's Player of the Match is Angelo Preciado