El Fideo isn’t among the eleven chosen to start against Ecuador, and the reasoning behind that decision is explained here.
The fixture is set for Thursday, September 7, with kickoff at 9 p.m. local time as Argentina begins its campaign to defend the world title. In the iconic stadium of the club that dominates the domestic scene, the national team will face Ecuador on the opening night of the South American qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup in North America.
When the lineup of the defending champions is announced, one name immediately stands out: Ángel Di María will not start. The decision signals a shift in the approach for the fixture, highlighting tactical choices that the coach believes best prepare the squad for the demanding path ahead. The veteran forward remains available from the bench, ready to contribute if called upon as the match unfolds, and his experience could prove invaluable as the campaign progresses.
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WHY ÁNGEL DI MARÍA vs. ECUADOR
The choice to omit Di María from the starting XI comes as part of a calculated plan. Nicolás González of Fiorentina is favored to occupy the wide attacking role in the starting lineup, a player who was unable to participate in Qatar 2022 due to a late injury but has since recovered fully. This selection reflects the coach’s assessment of the best balance between bite on the wings, depth in attack, and the types of runs that destabilize defenses early in a match. Di María remains a potent spark off the bench, a trusted option who can swing momentum with a moment of individual brilliance or create space for teammates with his smart movement and link play.
There are no physical limitations behind the decision. The head coach views this as a tactical move aimed at maximizing the team’s early pressure and quick transition play. Di María’s methodical craft, timing, and experience will still be available to alter the course of the game if the pattern on the field requires a different plan. The bench setup means Argentina can tailor their approach as the match unfolds, leveraging a mix of directness from González and the other attacking options that the squad can deploy without losing shape. This approach speaks to the evolving philosophy that prioritizes both intensity at the start and flexibility across the 90 minutes.
In the broader context, Ecuador presents a difficult opening opponent. The South American rival has built a compact system with disciplined pressing and the ability to exploit space behind the backline when the ball is retrieved high up the pitch. Argentina’s coaching staff would like to establish tempo early, control the rhythm of the game, and push the tempo where possible. The decision to start González instead of Di María is part of a larger plan to test and refine the team’s early-game structure while keeping a reliable wave of attacking talent on the field.
As the match unfolds, the tactical picture will reveal how this combination of players interacts in real time. Di María’s entrance from the bench would allow the team to switch to a more fluid frontline if needed, combining his vision with the goal-scoring instincts of the other forwards. This strategic reserve gives the squad a dynamic edge, ensuring that even with a deliberate starting XI, the squad remains capable of adjusting to the game’s ebb and flow. The coach’s decision underscores a willingness to adapt, to respond to Ecuador’s approach, and to pursue a positive result by leveraging both continuity and fresh pressure from the bench.
With this setup, the team aims to kick off the World Cup qualifying campaign decisively, setting a tone for the rest of the journey toward North America 2026. The choice to balance youth and experience on the frontline reflects a broader trend in the national program: building a squad that can sustain intensity across multiple matches while maintaining a high level of technical execution. Fans can expect a show of collective strength, with players coordinating advanced movements, overlapping runs, and a shared commitment to pressing and recovery that characterizes the best variants of the national style.