Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez was the hero, saving two penalties and Lionel Messi’s blushes as holders Argentina defeated Ecuador in a penalty shoot-out to ebook their place within the Copa America semifinals on July 4.
A Lisandro Martinez header had put world champions Argentina 1-0 up ten minutes earlier than half-time however Kevin Rodriguez headed in a stoppage-time leveller for Ecuador, who had risen to the event in entrance of 69,456 followers at Houston’s NRG Stadium.
Messi missed the opening penalty, chipping towards the bar, however due to heroics from Martinez, Argentina recovered to win the shoot-out 4-2 and progress into the semifinals the place they are going to face the winner of Friday’s match between Venezuela and Canada.
Messi’s ‘panenka’ miss introduced again recollections of his miss within the shoot-out loss to Chile within the 2016 Copa ultimate however fortunately for him goalkeeper Martinez was within the temper to repeat his personal previous.
He pulled off very good diving saves to disclaim Angel Mena and Alan Minda and get his crew in entrance earlier than Nicolas Otamendi slotted dwelling the decisive fourth kick.
Martinez had saved three spot-kicks in a 3–2 penalty shootout victory for Argentina over Colombia within the semi-final of the 2021 Copa America and famously saved two within the World Cup ultimate win towards France in Qatar.
Ecuador had been left crestfallen after a match during which they’d created sufficient alternatives to have gained the sport.
Felix Sanchez’s crew made a vibrant begin, dominating the ball in midfield and stretching the Argentine defence at instances.
Argentina’s ahead Lionel Messi gestures after lacking a objective from the penalty spot throughout a penalty shoot out.
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AFP
Moises Caicedo had an early alternative, latching on to a header from Enner Valencia, however his shot was tame and simply handled by Argentine keeper Martinez.
Then Moises Caicedo threaded a intelligent go via to the spectacular Jeremy Sarmiento however Martinez was out fast to avoid wasting with an outstretched foot and Kendry Paez blasted the free ball over the bar.
Argentina steadily acquired a foothold within the sport nevertheless it was not till the twenty eighth minute that they’d their first opening when Enzo Fernandez headed vast a Nahuel Molina cross from the appropriate.
Seven minutes later, they’d the lead nevertheless, Messi driving in a nook which Alexis Mac Allister met on the close to put up with a flick-on and Lisandro Martinez arrived with a strong header that Ecuador keeper Alexander Dominguez was unable to maintain out.
Fernandez quickly had an opportunity to double the lead however fired a left-foot shot vast on the again put up and Argentina went in on the break with a single objective lead.
Ecuador got a lifeline within the 62nd minute when Rodrigo De Paul was dominated to have dealt with contained in the field however Valencia’s penalty struck the surface of the put up.
However in stoppage time, Ecuador shocked the 15-times Copa champions when Kevin Rodriguez glanced in a header from a John Yeboah cross.
There was a VAR assessment, taking a look at whether or not Jordy Caicedo had interfered in an offside place on the again put up however the objective stood.
Moments later Jordy Caicedo had an ideal probability to win the sport however he glanced a left-wing cross vast from an ideal, central place.
That meant the drama of a penalty shoot-out and the possibility to upset the defending champions slipt away.
