Argentina’s quest to win back-to-back Copa America titles kicks into high gear on Thursday, when the knockout stages begin with their faceoff with Ecuador.

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The reigning champions are the heavy favorites in this matchup after winning each of their three games in the group stage, but Lionel Messi’s fitness is a big talking point heading. Argentina might have enough firepower in attack to survive Messi’s absence if he cannot make it, but they will first have to take on an Ecuador side that rescued their Copa America campaign after a rough start.

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Here’s what you need to know before tuning in.

How to watch and odds

Date: Thursday, July 4 | Time: 9 p.m. ET

Location: NRG Stadium — Houston, Texas

TV: Fox | Live stream: Fubo (Try for free)

Odds: Argentina -230; Draw +310; Ecuador +750

Storylines

Argentina: Things are so far, so good for the reigning champions, who won all of their games in the group stage and have yet to concede a goal. They have done this with and without Messi, who played in their first two games and assisted Lautaro Martinez’s goal against Canada but missed the Group A finale against Peru. Messi was not exactly needed since they had already qualified for the quarterfinals, which afforded head coach Lionel Scaloni a chance to show off his depth. It was a successful trial — Martinez scored twice, bringing up to four goals so far at the Copa America.

There’s no question that Argentina would rather have Messi available than not, though. Many will be encouraged by the fact that he returned to training on Tuesday, but his questions about his availability will linger until the team news drops on Thursday.

Ecuador: Ecuador were placed in a favorable group with Venezuela, Mexico and Jamaica but had to survive a chaotic start to the competition to finish second in Group B. Enner Valencia’s red card and their subsequent loss to Venezuela meant they needed results against Jamaica and Mexico, which favored Ecuador since the Concacaf teams were far from their best at the Copa America. Valencia’s return will help matters, but the team now has to prove themselves in undoubtedly their hardest test of the competition so far. They will be encouraged by the fact that they held Argentina to a 1-0 win last month in a friendly, but Scaloni opted to rotate that day — including benching Messi.

Lionel Messi could return to the starting lineup for Argentina’s Copa América quarterfinal match against Ecuador tonight.

Argentine news outlet TYCSports reported Thursday morning that Messi is in line to start the Ecuador match at Houston’s NRG Stadium after his performance in Wednesday’s practice.

“He finished yesterday’s practice very well, and the captain feels good to start,” TYCSports insider Gaston Edul reported before the game.

Messi has continued to improve from a right groin/adductor strain in the last nine days. He sustained the injury in a 1-0 win over Chile on June 25, causing him to miss last Saturday’s 2-0 win against Peru in Miami.

Lionel Messi’s leg injury was the only major obstacle that fell into Argentina’s path while it rolled through group play and into the Copa America quarterfinals.

Bigger challenges await the defending champions, and they’re hoping Messi will be there to lead the way in perhaps his final international tournament.

The 15-time Copa America champion Albiceleste are still the undeniable favorites in the Americas’ biggest soccer tournament when quarterfinal play gets underway, but the other 15-time Copa champs — Uruguay — top the list of challengers capable of taking them down.

With the host Americans and Mexico eliminated in group play, the spotlight shifts firmly to the South American powerhouses determined to raise the trophy.

(all times EDT)

ARGENTINA VS ECUADOR IN HOUSTON (Thursday, 9 p.m., FOX)

It’s unclear whether Messi will play in the opening quarterfinal due to a leg injury that sidelined him in the team’s most recent match against Peru. Coach Lionel Scaloni said Messi’s availability will be a game-time decision.

“Depending on how he responds, we will decide,” Scaloni said Wednesday before training. “There are ramifications when Leo is not able to play. We’ll try to make sure that he can play. If not, we’ll try to find the best solution for the team. I will talk to him today. It’s only fair that he can take his time and be able to train as much as he can.”

Argentina has been sturdy even without a goal from Messi in the tournament, winning all three group stage matches by a combined 5-0.

Inter Milan’s Lautaro Martinez has four goals in a spectacular effort despite coming off the bench twice, while Manchester City’s Julián Álvarez got the other goal. If Scaloni decides to play both center forwards together, it could be more than enough to make up for Messi — and a nightmare for underdog Ecuador, which earned its unexpected quarterfinal spot by holding Mexico scoreless last weekend.

VENEZUELA VS CANADA IN ARLINGTON, TEXAS (Friday, 9 p.m., FS1)

This is a matchup of pleasant surprises. Venezuela has enjoyed an outstanding tournament so far, winning its three matches by a combined 6-1 with offensive leadership from Salomón Rondón and Eduard Bello.

Canada got out of Copa group play for the first time despite scoring just one total goal in three games before losing Inter Milan’s Tajon Buchanan to a broken leg in training Tuesday. Reaching the semifinals would be a massive achievement for either of these teams.

COLOMBIA VS PANAMA IN GLENDALE, ARIZONA (Saturday, 6 p.m., FS1)

The quarters move west for a pair of games held in air-conditioned stadiums amid a continent-wide heat wave.

Colombia is now unbeaten in 26 consecutive matches after holding Brazil to a draw to win its group. Led by veteran star James Rodríguez, Los Cafeteros will be favored to eliminate Panama, which knocked off the host U.S. team to advance from group play.

URUGUAY VS BRAZIL IN LAS VEGAS (Saturday, 9 p.m., FS1)

Sin City will host easily the most tantalizing matchup of the round, featuring a faltering powerhouse against a team known for perennially punching above its weight.

No quarterfinal team looked as shaky as Brazil, which stumbled into the next round with a thoroughly unimpressive effort. Colombia and Costa Rica both held the Seleção to draws, and fan discontent is roiling.

Even worse, Real Madrid star Vinícius Júnior is suspended for the quarterfinal after accumulating two yellow cards. Yet Brazil is still laden with individual talent that’s barely touched the field in this tournament, so it’s far too early to write off the five-time World Cup winners.

Uruguay looks just as good as advertised under brilliant coach Marcelo Bielsa, winning three times by a combined 9-1 in group play led by Liverpool striker Darwin Núñez.

After beating Brazil and Argentina in recent World Cup qualifying matches, La Celeste probably would be the tournament favorites if not for Argentina’s similarly strong form — but Brazil has the pure talent to end those dreams in a hurry.

Predicted lineups

Argentina: Emiliano Martinez, Nahuel Molina, Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martinez, Nicolas Tagliafico, Rodrigo De Paul, Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernandez, Nicolas Gonzalez, Lionel Messi, Julian Alvarez

Ecuador: Alexander Domínguez, Angelo Preciado, Felix Torres, Willian Pacho, Piero Hincapie, Alan Franco, Moises Caicedo, Kendry Paez, Jeremy Sarmiento, Kevin Rodriguez, Enner Valencia

Prediction

This is Argentina’s game to lose and with or without Messi, they will be up for the task. Expect the reigning champions to lean on several attacking players as they pick up their latest victory of the Copa America, and likely pick up a clean sheet in the process. Pick: Argentina 3, Ecuador 0