Argentina striker Sergio Agüero. (Photo : Reuters)
Copa America 2015 runner-up and FIFA world no. 1 Argentina will host hard-fighting Ecuador in the first matchday of the CONMEBOL 2018 World Cup qualifying tournament on Thursday, October 8 at the Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti in Buenos Aires.
La Albiceleste's last game together was a 2-2 international friendly draw versus Mexico at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on September 9, via SkySports.
Manchester City striker Sergio Agüero and Barcelona forward Lionel Messi scored the late goals for Gerardo Martino's squad to salvage the tie after El Tri's Javier Hernández and Héctor Herrera put the Mexicans on top.
However, Argentina will be starting their World Cup qualifying campaign without their superstar, Messi, who is still nursing the sprained left knee he incurred during FC Barcelona's 2-1 win over Las Palmas on September 26.
Ecuador's last game was way back during this year's Copa America group stage round in June.
La Tricolor defeated Mexico's team B, 2-1, at the Estadio El Teniente in Rancagua, Chile during their final match of group classifications but still did not advance in the knockout stage, as per Bleacher Report.
Even without Messi, Argentina look formidable with Agüero, Angel Di María, Ezequiel Lavezzi, and Ángel Correa. Their backfield also consists of club veterans such as Pablo Zabaleta, Martín Demichelis, and Marcos Rojo.
The predicted result is a 3-0 win for Argentina.
Argentina starting lineup (4-3-3 formation): Romero; Zabaleta, Demichelis, Rojo, Otamendi; Mascherano, Di María, Pastore; Lavezzi, Agüero, Correa
Ecuador starting lineup (4-2-3-1 formation): Domínguez; Paredes, Achilier, Mina, Ayoví; Noboa, Castillo; Ibarra, Bolaños, Montero; Caicedo
