Argentina faced a shocking 1–0 defeat against Ecuador in the final CONMEBOL World Cup qualifier

The match began with high intensity, but Argentina suffered an early setback as Nicolás Otamendi was shown a red card in the 31st minute, leaving the team a man down. Just before halftime, VAR intervened and awarded a penalty for a foul on Angelo Preciado, and Enner Valencia calmly converted it, giving Ecuador the crucial lead. In the second half, Ecuador was reduced to 10 players after Moisés Caicedo received a red card in the 50th minute, but Argentina still struggled to break through.

Amid the drama, all eyes were on Franco Mastantuono, who wore the legendary number 10 shirt for the first time. The young star made his debut for Argentina, starting his journey that many dream of ,a future that could lead to Real Madrid and international stardom. Mastantuono showed flashes of brilliance, skill, and composure beyond his years, signaling a bright future even on a tough night for the team.

Despite relentless pressing and dangerous chances, Argentina couldn’t find the equalizer. The final whistle confirmed Ecuador’s 1–0 victory, leaving Argentina to reflect on a bitter end to the qualifiers. Yet for Mastantuono, it was a dream start ,a night to remember, marking the beginning of what could be an extraordinary career.