A talented Ecuador side were the only team to beat Argentina in the first round and as the two met again in the final stage of the Sudamericana it was once more the Tricolor who prevailed.

Thiago Almada’s deflected free-kick gave Argentina the lead midway through the first half but unable to build on that it was Ecuador who responded brightly and grew in confidence.

The marauding John Espinoza from right back burst forward to square the ball for Leonardo Campana to equalise before half time and it was difficult to argue that it wasn’t the least Ecuador deserved.

José Cifuentes fired a low free-kick past Manuel Roffo in the 73rd minute to take the lead and when Fausto Vera was shown a second yellow card shortly after, Argentina’s hopes extinguished.

With the two other opening games ending in draws Argentina haven’t lost too much ground but Saturday’s match against Colombia is crucial. Fernando Batista’s side haven’t scored enough goals and need to improve if they are to seal a place at the World Cup.

Ecuador venció 2-1 a Argentina este martes y trepó a la cima del hexagonal final del Campeonato Sudamericano Sub-20. Almada de tiro libre a los 26 minutos abrió la cuenta para Argentina, pero Ecuador con goles de Campana y Cifuentes, a los 37 y 73 minutos, lo dieron vuelta. pic.twitter.com/Lgau1GSgap

— EL AGUANTE (@ELAGUANTEEC) January 30, 2019