"Lionel Scaloni admitted it will be hard to replace some of the veterans that have played a key role in Argentina's recent success - having been given a glimpse of the future last night in the 1-0 defeat to Ecuador. With Angel Di Maria now retired from international duty, Lionel Messi rested and Nicolas Otamendi sent off after 31 minutes in Guayaquil, a youthful Argentina side went down to Enner Valencia's penalty 13 minutes into first-half stoppage time."
"He said: "It is evident that those who have or will leave the national team are of an incredible level. And it is up to us to be able to find those who can continue to keep us at high levels. "Obviously, it will be difficult to find players of that calibre but our goal is to continue trusting in what brought us here, knowing that there is always an opponent who can win like today.""
"'When the rival plays well, there are times when you have to suffer,' he added. 'We suffered in some moments, especially when we have been left with 10 men. 'The game was distorted by the sending off and we could not create many goalscoring opportunities. But [I'm still] positive, because the team tried, we showed our face in our own way of playing, and against a very good opponent.'"
Argentina ended its World Cup qualifying campaign with a 1-0 defeat to Ecuador in Guayaquil after Enner Valencia scored from a penalty. Angel Di Maria has retired from international duty, Lionel Messi was rested and Nicolas Otamendi was sent off early, forcing a youthful lineup. Even after Moises Caicedo's dismissal leveled the numbers, Argentina could not break through Ecuador's defence, which has kept nine clean sheets in ten qualifiers. Finding replacements for influential veterans will be difficult, and maintaining the high level of recent triumphs will require integrating new players.
Read at 101GREATGOALS.COM
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