Romero Player of the Match in Argentina win

Cristian Romero put in a Player of the Match performance as Argentina defeated Ecuador 1-0 in their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier on Friday morning.

In a tensely-fought contest in the Argentine capital of Buenos Aires, it was ultimately a Lionel Messi free-kick in the 78th minute which separated the sides and took the headlines, but Cristian's importance in the win cannot be overstated.

Our number 17 was everywhere for Argentina, helping them to their clean sheet with a 98.5 per cent pass completion and winning 87.5 per cent of his duels.

His performance drew great praise from his manager, Lionel Scaloni, who said in his press conference after the game, "You can't say much about the game he played. On top of that, with the people who carry him around... He believes he is ... Man. He's an incredible centre-back."

Romero's reaction

Here's what Cristian had to say about the game on his official Twitter account.

Importante arrancar así las eliminatorias , vamos selección este es el camino @Argentina pic.twitter.com/ISxmjlkQD5

— Cuti Romero (@CutiRomero2) September 8, 2023