Lionel Messi MISSES his penalty but Argentina still reach Copa America semifinals as world champions survive a nervy shootout to beat Ecuador in Houston
It took longer than Argentina had hoped, but they still came through after a thrilling match against Ecuador.
The exciting match was sparked by Argentina, who opened the scoring in the first half when Lisandro Martinez headed in a header from Alexis Mac Allister.
But just before the end of the match, Kevin Rodriguez equalised for La Tri, forcing the game to go to penalties.
In that shootout, Nicolas Otamendi scored the decisive penalty, which allowed La Albiceleste to progress to the semi-finals.
There they will play the winner of Friday’s match between Venezuela and Canada, a team that Argentina has already beaten 2-0. Argentina captain Lionel Messi hopes to add to his trophy cabinet and with this victory he comes a step closer to that goal.
Lionel Messi and Argentina advance to 2024 Copa America semi-finals
A header from Lisandro Martinez (25) was all La Albiceleste had to do
For the first 20 minutes it looked like Ecuador had the upper hand over the reigning champions of the tournament.
Argentina’s breakthrough came from a corner, when a shot from Enzo Fernandez was blocked and went over the byline.
Messi’s converted corner was tapped in by Alexis MacAllister and played perfectly into open space behind the Liverpool midfielder.
That area was immediately filled by Lisandro Martinez, who headed the ball neatly into the net to give Argentina a 1-0 lead.
But even at half-time, Ecuador held a small lead over Argentina in expected goals (0.50-0.49), despite having less possession.
Five minutes into the second half, bodies were flying as Messi, Moises Caicedo, Christian Romero and another Argentine player hit the ground.
After a long break, Argentina tried to double their lead, but Lautaro Martinez saw his shot go wide.
A ray of hope broke out for Ecuador in the 60th minute when Alan Franco was brought down in the penalty area by Rodrigo De Paul and referee Andrés Matonte blew for a penalty.
Ecuador’s 34-year-old captain Enner Valencia stared at Argentine goalkeeper Emi Martinez and couldn’t survive the Argentine mind games. His slow rolling shot sent the keeper the wrong way but hit the post.
Rodrigo De Paul (7) raises his hands and pleads not guilty after giving away a penalty
Enner Valencia (13) grimaces after missing a penalty against Argentina in the Copa America
Emiliano Martinez (L) and Lisandro Martinez (R) celebrate a missed penalty by Ecuador
On the cusp of the final, Kevin Rodriguez (11) kept Ecuador alive – by forcing penalties
Martinez turned to the crowd and shook his arms in victory as Valencia shook their heads, the largely pro-Argentine crowd chanting his nickname ‘Dibu’ in tribute.
At that point, the momentum of the match shifted almost entirely to La Albiceleste, who had the upper hand for the first 70 minutes.
A free-kick from Messi sparked a counter-attack from Ecuador, but despite two crosses, including one for Valencia, they failed to find a single shot on target.
It looked like Argentina would hold on to the victory in front of the huge fans in Houston as five minutes were added on.
After a commotion from players, Ecuador took a quick free kick. In desperation, a cross was sent to Kevin Rodriguez – who headed it home.
The ball sailed past the diving body of Emi Martinez into the net, equalising in the dying seconds.
The match went straight to penalty kicks, which sent everyone’s pulses racing at NRG Stadium in Houston.
Lionel Messi tried a cheeky Panenka for his penalty, but his shot hit the crossbar and went over
He was saved by Emi Martinez, who stopped two shots in the shootout to save the day
It was Nicolas Otamendi who took the decisive penalty for Argentina
First up was Messi, who looked calm under pressure – but tried too much. His attempt at Panenka hit the crossbar and went over for a miss.
Emi Martinez saved his captain’s armband with an opening-round save from Angel Mena, sending Argentina fans into raptures.
Substitute Julian Alvarez fired the ball over the outstretched arms of goalkeeper Alexander Dominguez, prompting Martinez to return to action for Argentina, passing the ball to Ecuador’s Alan Minda and firing home with his glove.
The third round started with Alexis Mac Allister calmly firing his shot into the right side netting, after which John Yeboah finally scored Ecuador’s first penalty of the evening.
Gonzalo Montiel, the man who brought Argentina the World Cup, calmly fired away – forcing Ecuador into an all-or-nothing shot at the boot of Jordy Caicedo. Caicedo fired his effort through the middle to keep his country alive.
With a chance to go through, Nicolas Otamendi stepped up, snuck his shot past the diving Dominguez and Argentina advanced to the semi-finals at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.