Argentina secured a 1-0 victory over Ecuador in a Copa América warm-up match, with Lionel Messi making his comeback to the international stage after a six-month absence. Messi, who was sidelined in the first half, replaced Ángel Di María in the 56th minute due to a right hamstring injury that kept him out of previous matches.
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni emphasized the importance of taking care of key players like Messi, Nicolas Otamendi, Ángel Di María, Julian Alvarez, and Lautaro Martinez to ensure they arrive at the tournament in optimal condition. Di María scored the only goal of the match, demonstrating the team’s readiness for the upcoming Copa América.
Di María’s Stellar Performance
Ángel Di María’s goal against Ecuador marked his second consecutive goal in international matches, highlighting his importance to the team. With 31 goals for Argentina, Di María is tied with Gonzalo Higuain for the fifth-most goals in the country’s history and is only four goals behind Diego Maradona in fourth place.
Argentina’s coach, Scaloni, stressed the significance of coming together as a team, gaining match experience, and rekindling the passion for representing the national team. The team will play a warm-up match against Guatemala before beginning their Copa América campaign against Canada on June 20.
Ecuador’s Journey towards Copa América
Ecuador, on the other hand, will face Bolivia and Honduras in friendly matches before taking on Venezuela in their Copa América opener on June 22. The team is gearing up for the tough competition that lies ahead in the tournament.
Overall, Argentina’s victory over Ecuador served as a testament to their preparations for the Copa América, with key players delivering impressive performances and showcasing their readiness for the challenge ahead. Messi’s return to the international stage added a sense of anticipation and excitement for fans, as they look forward to seeing him lead the team in their quest for glory in the prestigious tournament. The focus now shifts to the final preparations and fine-tuning of strategies as both Argentina and Ecuador gear up for the Copa América showdown.
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