New Arsenal signing Piero Hincapié made headlines during the latest round of World Cup qualifiers — not just for his defensive heroics, but for a fiery exchange with Liverpool’s Alexis Mac Allister as Ecuador shocked reigning champions Argentina in Guayaquil.
🔥 Flashpoint in a Fierce Encounter
Hincapié, who joined Arsenal on loan from Bayer Leverkusen on Deadline Day, played the full 90 minutes at left-back and was instrumental in Ecuador’s 1–0 win. The match, though technically inconsequential with both teams already qualified, was anything but tame.
The flashpoint came after Hincapié executed a perfectly timed tackle on Real Madrid prodigy Franco Mastantuono inside the box. The Ecuadorian stood over the fallen midfielder — a gesture Mac Allister didn’t appreciate. The Liverpool star squared up to Hincapié, wagging his finger and shouting in his face, sparking a tense moment between the two Premier League rivals.
Tempers flared again at the final whistle, with Hincapié seen pleading his case to Rodrigo De Paul before being shoved away by former Arsenal goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez.
Hincapie VS Macallister in the Ecuador VS Argentina matchpic.twitter.com/ZMa4Ey1i80
— Doc (@karthikadhaigal) September 10, 2025
🛡️ Defensive Masterclass
Beyond the drama, Hincapié delivered a standout performance:
- ✅ 3 clearances
- 🛑 2 interceptions and 2 tackles
- 🕴️ Won 2 of 3 aerial duels
- ⚔️ Won 2 of 4 ground duels
His composure and physicality helped Ecuador secure their fifth consecutive clean sheet in qualification — a remarkable feat against the likes of Lionel Messi’s Argentina.
Piero Hincapie vs Argentina
— AFC_Adi (@AFC_Adi06) September 10, 2025
Another brilliant performance!pic.twitter.com/49JmS0FWvr
⚽ Match Recap: Ecuador Edge Argentina
The match saw Argentina reduced to 10 men in the 31st minute after Nicolas Otamendi was sent off. Ecuador capitalised, with Enner Valencia converting a penalty in first-half stoppage time. Chelsea’s Moises Caicedo was later dismissed for Ecuador, but the hosts held firm to claim a famous win.
Despite the defeat, Argentina remain top of the qualification standings with 39 points, nine ahead of Ecuador, who now sit second.
🔴 What It Means for Arsenal
Hincapié’s performance — and his fiery competitiveness — will be welcomed by Arsenal fans eager to see their new signing in action. With injuries mounting in Mikel Arteta’s squad, the Ecuadorian could be thrust into Premier League action sooner than expected.
His clash with Mac Allister adds spice to future Arsenal-Liverpool encounters, and his defensive pedigree suggests he’ll be more than ready for the challenge.
In a match full of drama, Hincapié didn’t just hold his own — he made his presence felt.