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Argentina without Otamendi for World Cup opener
Sep 10 2025 01:37 · By onefootball.com
· View Original
The World Cup is still a few months away, but the reigning champion already has a definite absence for the opening match of the tournament.
Defender Nicolás Otamendi was sent off in Tuesday’s (9th) qualifier between Argentina and Ecuador.
Since this is the last round of the competition, the veteran will serve his suspension in Argentina’s World Cup opener, even though the Finalissima against Spain is scheduled before the World Cup .
The red card was given because of a foul committed by Otamendi, stopping a clear goal-scoring opportunity. See the play below:
– Tuesday, 9 September 2025
The defender started for Argentina throughout their World Cup-winning campaign in 2022 and kept his spot during the qualifiers for 2026.
Ecuador also faced a similar problem with the sending off of Moisés Caicedo in the second half of the same match.
The Chelsea midfielder received a second yellow card after fouling Nicolás González.
The World Cup group stage draw, which will determine Argentina’s and Ecuador’s opponents for their openers, will take place on December 5.
– Wednesday, 10 September 2025
This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.
📸 RODRIGO BUENDIA - AFP or licensors