International friendlies | Ecuador 1-6 Argentina: 3 Talking Points

#2 Marcos Acuna stakes a real claim to the left-back position

Argentina v Mexico - FIFA Friendly Match

Over the last two years, the left-back position has been alternated between Marcos Acuna and Nicolas Tagliafico, with the former the preferred choice for erstwhile manager Jorge Sampaoli.

However, upon resumption of duties as Argentina manager, Lionel Scaloni made Tagliafico his first-choice left-back, with the 27-year-old starting all six of Argentina's Copa America fixtures, as well as the four friendly matches after that.

However, the Ajax man has been less than convincing in his outings and was a major weak link in the game against Germany.

Marcos Acuna was brought on in place of Rojo against the Germans and the Sporting Lisbon man quickly made a mark on the game by providing the assist for Lucas Alario to start the comeback.

His fine performance was rewarded with a start against Ecuador and he once again combined with Alario to put Argentina ahead inside the first 20 minutes.

In what was an eventful first half for Acuna, the 27-year-old had a hand in all three goals, with his cross in the 27th minute leading to an own goal, while Lautaro Martinez was also fouled in the box after being found by Acuna.

Tagliafico might be the more defensively astute of the two owing to Acuna's position as a natural winger, but the attacking verve offered by the former Racing Club man means that Scaloni would seriously be considering making him a permanent fixture in his starting lineup.