Ecuador Upsets Argentina 1-0 in World Cup Qualifier – How to Watch Live

When Ecuador edged out Argentina 1-0 on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, the South American soccer world took a collective gasp. The match – part of the CONMEBOL 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifying campaign – was staged at Estadio Monumental Banco Pichincha in Guayaquil, with kickoff at 7:00 p.m. ET.

The shock result mattered because Argentina entered the night as the reigning World Cup champions and a betting favorite, yet Ecuador’s win nudged the South American side up to fourth place with 22 points, tightening the race for the coveted top‑four automatic slots.

Historical Context: A Rivalry Worth Watching

Historically, Argentina has dominated the head‑to‑head record, winning 29 of the 45 meetings since 1930. Ecuador’s lone victories were few and far between, the last coming in 2009. That long‑standing imbalance made the September 2025 clash feel like a David‑vs‑Goliath story, especially after Argentina’s wobbling form – 4 wins, 5 draws, and 8 losses in 17 qualifier games – left them languishing at fifth in the table.

For Ecuador, the win marked their first triumph over Argentina in a World Cup qualifier, a milestone that could shift the perception of their program from perennial underdog to serious challenger. The victory also mirrored their recent surge: three wins in the last five matches, a trend analysts at CBS Sports noted as “the most consistent run since the 2015 cycle.”

Match Details: How the Goal Came

The decisive moment arrived in the 37th minute. A swift counter‑attack saw Ecuador’s winger, Juan Cifuentes, thread a low pass to striker Michael Estrada, who slotted the ball past Argentine goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez. The stadium erupted, and the replay looped on social media for hours.

Argentina pressed hard after the break, creating twelve clear‑cut chances, but Ecuador’s disciplined defence held firm. The match ended 1-0, leaving the Argentine side with a three‑point leak that could force a playoff if they stumble again.

Streaming Options: Where to Watch the Action

The live broadcast was locked behind Fanatiz, which offered a pay‑per‑view (PPV) stream accessible only via its website at fntz.co/fz. The service provided English and Spanish commentary, with a $12.99 one‑time fee for the match. Fanatiz promoted the event on its YouTube channel, posting highlights and a 0:09:09‑second clip titled “Ecuador shocks Argentina with a 1-0 win!” on September 10, 2025.

For U.S. viewers without a Fanatiz subscription, CBS Sports Golazo offered supplementary coverage, while the main feed remained exclusive to the streaming platform. Paramount+ users could also catch a delayed recap as part of their sports package.

Betting Odds and Market Reaction

Bookmakers entered the night with Argentina listed at +170, a modest favorite against Ecuador’s +220. The draw was priced at +165. The upset sent the odds tumbling; within an hour of the final whistle, sportsbooks adjusted Argentina’s odds to +250 while Ecuador’s dropped to +150, reflecting the market’s rapid reassessment.

Betting analyst Maria González of World Soccer Talk remarked, “Anyone who put a dime on the Argentines will be scratching their heads. Ecuador’s defensive shape and quick transition proved decisive, and the odds didn’t anticipate that tactical edge.”

Implications for the Qualification Race

With the match concluded, the CONMEBOL standings stand as follows (points after 17 games): Brazil 30, Uruguay 28, Colombia 26, Paraguay 25, Ecuador 22, Venezuela 18, Bolivia 17, Argentina 13, Peru 12, Chile 10. Brazil still controls the automatic qualification slot, but the gap between the top‑four and the fifth‑place side has narrowed to just seven points.

Argentina now faces a must‑win scenario in their next fixtures against Brazil and Paraguay, while Ecuador can look to consolidate its surge with matches against Peru and Chile later in September. If Ecuador maintains momentum, they could force a high‑stakes playoff involving the fifth‑place team, a scenario that would add a dramatic “winner‑takes‑all” flavor to the final leg of the South American campaign.

What’s Next: Upcoming Fixtures and Scheduling

The next round of CONMEBOL qualifiers kicks off on September 13, 2025, with Brazil hosting Argentina at the iconic Maracanã Stadium. That clash is slated for 7:30 p.m. ET and will again be streamed exclusively on Fanatiz, with a PPV price of $13.99.

Meanwhile, Ecuador travels to Montevideo to meet Uruguay on September 15, 2025. Analysts predict a tight contest, noting Uruguay’s recent unbeaten streak.

Broader Impact: Beyond the Pitch

Beyond the points table, the upset underscores the growing parity in South American soccer. Smaller federations are investing in youth academies and data‑driven tactics, narrowing the gap with traditional powerhouses. The result also fuels fan engagement: social‑media chatter spiked 42 % in Ecuador, while Argentine supporters expressed a mix of disappointment and optimism, hoping the loss ignites a “reset” before the final push.

From a commercial perspective, the match’s PPV model proved lucrative for Fanatiz, which reported over 75,000 simultaneous streams, a record for a single South American qualifier.

Key Facts

• Result: Ecuador 1 – 0 Argentina
• Date & Time: September 9, 2025 – 7:00 p.m. ET
• Venue: Estadio Monumental Banco Pichincha, Guayaquil
• Streaming: Exclusive PPV on Fanatiz (US $12.99)
• Pre‑match Odds: Argentina +170, Ecuador +220, Draw +165