Ecuador head coach Felix Sanchez has said it is an honour to face Lionel Scaloni's Argentina ahead of their Copa America quarter-final on Friday.
Sanchez, looking to secure Ecuador's first victory over Argentina since October 2015, praised his opposite number for his role in their 2021 Copa America and 2022 World Cup successes.
"Scaloni has built something with which he has made history," Sanchez said.
"It's a team that, as a spectator, is great to watch. It is an honour to be able to play against a team of this level."
Argentina are expected to be without captain Lionel Messi for the fixture at the NRG Stadium after sustaining a hamstring injury in their 1-0 win over Chile.
However, Sanchez insisted that his side will still face a tough task despite the absence of Argentina's all-time leading goalscorer.
"Obviously, he is a player who makes a difference," Sanchez said. "We have played against them with him and without him.
"The way they play does not change because they have managed to create a solid group and a very defined playing style that can be tweaked depending on the situation.
"We have to be prepared for any possibility and, based on that, adjust."
Sanchez, who took over from Gustavo Alfaro in March last year, has faced La Albiceleste on two occasions, losing both 1-0.
Asked if he would do anything different this time around, he said: "We have to try to compete in the best way against a team that is difficult to score goals against.
"They are very solid and have many offensive variables.
"Something has to be changed to try to go toe to toe with them. Our last few matches against Argentina have been closely fought encounters.
"But now we know that we have to win to advance and our aim is to give ourselves every chance to do that."
Paraguay dismiss Garnero after dismal Copa America campaign
Paraguay have dismissed head coach Daniel Garnero after less than a year in charge following their woeful Copa America campaign.
The Paraguayan Football Association (APF) announced the decision on Monday, parting ways with the 54-year-old after just 10 matches in charge.
Paraguay finished bottom of Group D without a win at the 2024 Copa, losing to Colombia 2-1, 4-1 to Brazil and then 2-1 to Costa Rica.
"The APF announces the termination of the relationship with DT Daniel Garnero as head coach of the Paraguayan national team," the federation said in a short statement on social media.
The 54-year-old was only appointed in September 2023, replacing compatriot Guillermo Barros Schelotto.
Yet Argentina's Garnero was given his marching orders with Paraguay out of the continental tournament, and sitting seventh in the 10-team standings for South American qualification to the 2026 World Cup.
Borussia Dortmund seal €22.5m deal for Stuttgart captain Anton
Borussia Dortmund have signed Stuttgart captain Waldemar Anton in a deal said to be worth €22.5million.
Last season's beaten Champions League finalists have been on the lookout for reinforcements at centre-back after allowing Mats Hummels to leave on a free.
Anton, who appeared twice for Germany as they reached the quarter-finals at Euro 2024, was a key part of the Stuttgart team that finished second in the Bundesliga last season.
He played in 33 of their 34 league games in 2023-24 as they finished as runners-up to unbeaten champions Bayer Leverkusen, one point clear of Bayern Munich.
Anton, who has penned a four-year deal with BVB, told the club's website: "I didn't originally plan to change clubs – but then Borussia Dortmund came along. A top club that has just reached the Champions League final. This shows the potential of this club."
He is the first signing to arrive at Signal Iduna Park under Nuri Sahin, who succeeded Edin Terzic as head coach last month.
Mbappe at '50% is 100% for anyone else', warns De la Fuente ahead of semi-final
Luis de la Fuente has no doubt over Kylian Mbappe's threat in Spain's Euro 2024 semi-final on Tuesday, suggesting the France forward at "50% is 100% for anyone else".
Mbappe has scored just one goal from 20 shots at the tournament in Germany, a penalty against Poland in Les Bleus' final group game.
The Real Madrid-bound has been hampered by a mask, required after his broken nose against Austria in the opening game, but continues to struggle at the European Championship.
Mbappe has scored just once from 34 attempts in the Euros overall, a contrast to his record at the World Cup, where the former Paris Saint-Germain star has 12 goals from 39 shots.
Yet the Spain boss insists La Roja will not write off the Les Bleus captain, despite his recent underwhelming form.
"He is unpredictable, he never disappears," De la Fuente said at Monday's pre-match press conference. "His level at 50% is 100% for anyone else.
"He can beat someone in two moves. He is a genius and a superstar.
"We are going to try to minimise his influence, we have the tools to do it regardless of who is on the pitch. I have blind faith in my team to get to the final."
Mbappe may be a marked man for the Spanish, yet De la Fuente's team are in scintillating form as the only team to triumph in all five matches at Euro 2024 so far.
No team has ever won six matches at a single Euros tournament, however, nor managed six straight wins in the competition.
Yet De la Fuente has absolute confidence in Spain reaching their fifth European Championship final, with only Germany – who La Roja downed 2-1 in extra time in the quarter-finals – managing more with six.
"For me, my team is the best, but we have a great rival in front of us who is just as good," he added.
"I will think that my team is the best team even if they knock us out. I analyse the team's potential and they have exceptional potential.
"Everyone gets bored or has fun with what they want, football never bores me. We are recovering well, but it is only a few days, it is the same problem for everyone.
"We will see how we are tomorrow, motivation makes you overcome any adversity."
A France player is yet to score from open play at the tournament, with Les Bleus' game seeing two penalties scored and two own goals.
De la Fuente still refused to ignore the quality of Didier Deschamps' men, adding: "Physically, France are one of the strongest, we know the players and we know how to fight them."
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