Otamendi Sent Off as Messi-Rested Argentina Trails Ecuador in Qualifying Finale

Argentina played in Guayaquil without Lionel Messi, who stayed home to rest by mutual decision with the staff after recent injury recovery. Cristian ‘Cuti’ Romero served a one-match ban for card accumulation, Leonardo Balerdi started in his place, Lautaro Martínez led the line, and Thiago Almada wore the No. 10. Nicolás Otamendi received a straight red in the 31st minute and Enner Valencia converted a first‑half stoppage‑time penalty; Moisés Caicedo was later sent off for a second booking early in the second half. The match kicked off at 20:00 (Argentina time) at Guayaquil’s Monumental Banco Pichincha with Wilmar Roldán refereeing and TV coverage on TyC Sports and Telefé. With Argentina already top and qualified and Ecuador also through, regional focus turns to the repechage race between Venezuela and Bolivia, which feeds into the six‑team inter‑confederation playoff in Mexico from March 26–31, 2026.

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