Argentina Advances to Copa America Semifinals, Defeating Ecuador 4-2 on Penalties After 1-1 Draw
Lionel Messi stepped up to take Argentina’s first penalty kick in a Copa America shootout against Ecuador, reminiscent of his role in the 2022 World Cup final against France. This time, however, Messi’s shot hit the crossbar, putting their semifinal hopes at risk.
“I was pretty upset,” Messi admitted, “but at the same time, I was confident.” His confidence lay in goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez, who played a crucial role in securing Argentina’s path to the semifinals. Martínez saved shootout attempts from Ángel Mena and Alan Minda, allowing Argentina to advance with a 4-2 victory on penalties after a 1-1 draw on Thursday night. Messi praised Martínez, affectionately known as “Dibu,” for his ability to thrive in high-pressure situations. Despite conceding a tying goal to Ecuador in second-half injury time, Argentina rebounded, with Nicolás Otamendi scoring the decisive penalty against Alexander Domínguez.
“I wasn’t ready to go home,” said Martínez. “This team deserved to advance. They complicated us a lot. They played a great match, very physical. We knew they were one of the top rivals in Copa America.”
Argentina, seeking its third consecutive major title, advanced to the semifinals for the fifth straight Copa America and will face Venezuela or Canada in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The team aims to secure its 16th Copa America championship, setting a new record.“Our goalkeeper came up clutch,” Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said through an interpreter.
In front of a pro-Argentinian crowd of 69,456 at NRG Stadium, Lisandro Martínez gave Argentina a 35th-minute lead following Messi’s corner kick. Ecuador’s Enner Valencia missed a penalty in the 62nd minute, hitting the post after a handball by Rodrigo De Paul. Kevin Rodríguez then equalized in the first minute of second-half stoppage time.
In the shootout, Messi’s Panenka attempt failed, but Martínez saved Mena’s shot by diving to his left and batting the ball away. He also denied Minda by leaping right, celebrating with a short dance after the save. Julián Álvarez and Alexis Mac Allister scored to give Argentina a 2-0 lead. John Yeboah converted Ecuador’s third attempt, while Gonzalo Montiel made it 3-1 for Argentina. Jordy Caicedo kept Ecuador’s hopes alive before Otamendi secured the victory by tucking the ball inside the post past Domínguez’s outstretched arm.
Despite the win, Scaloni expressed a lack of enjoyment. “We have reached the semis, and given the great level of performance of every national team, I think it’s a great achievement,” he said.
Lisandro Martínez had initially put Argentina ahead in the 35th minute with a header from Messi’s corner kick. Rodríguez later scored for Ecuador, heading in John Yeboah’s cross. Ecuador’s coach Félix Sánchez Bas praised his team’s performance. “The quarterfinals had us playing against the most difficult opponent, and I thought we delivered well,” he said through an interpreter. “We showed this team can compete against any opponent.”
Under Copa America regulations, the match went straight to a shootout after regulation time, without extra time. Messi, who had sustained an injury on June 25 against Chile, missed Argentina’s group-stage finale but received a loud ovation upon entering the field before kickoff. “I think he finished the match well,” Scaloni said. “We asked him how he was feeling four minutes before the end.” Messi, who hasn’t scored in three Copa games this year, assured, “I finished well. I didn’t feel any pain.”