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To stay alive in the race for the FIFA 2018 World Cup in Russia, Argentina must do something that has thus far eluded it in a competitive match since the highly-regarded Jorge Sampaoli took over as manager in June: win.

Combinations have been tried, formations tested and new players given a chance, but for the talent at its disposal, Argentina hasn’t produced a goal, let alone a victory, in the three World Cup qualifiers since Sampaoli arrived.

The Albiceleste’s only score in that time – during the 1-all draw with Venezuela – came from a Venezuelan. In fact, across the entire campaign Argentina and its talent-rich attacking stocks have produced a paltry 16 goals - a tally that puts it above only last placed Bolivia in the group. 

Now this proud footballing nation stands on the brink of the unthinkable, its once-in-a-generation collection of attacking talent poised to squander their last chance to win the greatest prize the game has to offer, with barely a whimper.

All that stands in the way of Argentina and missing out on the World Cup for the first time 47 years, is a visit to altitude to take on an Ecuador team that itself is in the midst of a five-game losing streak.

A 2-1 loss to Chile last start put Ecuador out of the race for the top five, but it will fancy its chances of getting a result at home, where it has won two and drawn two of its last four matches against Argentina.

Ecuador started the campaign brightly, winning four and drawing one of its first five matches, including a 2-0 away upset of Wednesday’s opponent.

Now, desperate to give its fans a reason to cheer, it will be out to complete one of the most stunning falls from grace of this World Cup qualifying campaign.

Should Argentina fail to qualify, it will become the first team since Czechoslovakia in 1962 not to qualify for world cup four years after being in the final.

This most poignant of moments is the sad culmination of years of frustration for a stunning generation of youth prospects that included Sergio Aguero, Lionel Messi, Javier Mascherano, Gonzalo Higuain, Angel Di Maria and Juan Riquelme.

Having romped to the 2005 Youth World Cup, then backed up winning the Olympic gold medal at Beijing in 2008, it was considered only a matter of time before this crew brought home the Jules Rimet for its adoring fans.

A world Cup final defeat and two Copa America final losses - both to Sampaoli's Chile - represent the agonising 'what ifs' of a golden era that hasn’t quite shone when it has mattered most.

Now as the last vestiges of that era scrap for one final chance at glory, the nation’s dire football predicament is laid bare. The administration is an organisational mess – Sampaoli is Argentina’s third manager in this campaign alone. Aside from Paulo Dybala and one or two others, the once un-ending pool of talent appears to have dried up. Argentina’s defensive frailties and lack of on field leadership at the back make it prone to counter-attacks and it seems plagued by a sudden inability to convert attacking opportunities.

With La Bobonera crowd heaving, Argentina created 22 chances in its last match - against Peru - firing six of those on target. Alas it was unable to make a dent on the scoreboard.

The Albiceleste showed in June that they could produce attacking, winning football, scoring seven goals in two friendly wins, over Brazil and Singapore.

Now this overhyped, if underwhelming generation of stars needs to do it when it counts, in the thin air of Quito, against a fired-up Ecuador team.

Winning will ensure at least a play-off for Russia against New Zealand, drawing will put the matter into other teams’ hands and, for millions of fans, losing does not bare thinking about.