Lionel Messi took Argentina’s first penalty kick in the Copa America shootout against Ecuador, mirroring his World Cup final performance. This time, however, Messi’s attempt struck the crossbar, threatening Argentina’s semifinal hopes.

“I was pretty upset,” Messi admitted, “but at the same time I was secure.” His confidence in goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez was unwavering, as Martínez has a reputation for excelling in critical moments.

Martínez lived up to expectations, blocking shootout attempts from Ángel Mena and Alan Minda, propelling Argentina to a 4-2 victory on penalties after a 1-1 draw on Thursday night.

“We know what Dibu is capable of,” Messi said, referring to Martínez by his nickname. “He really thrives on those moments.”

Despite conceding a tying goal to Ecuador in second-half injury time, Argentina rallied. Nicolás Otamendi secured the win by beating Alexander Domínguez with the decisive penalty kick.

“I wasn’t ready to go home,” Martínez commented. “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, aiming for its third consecutive major title, reached the semifinals for the fifth straight Copa America and will face either Venezuela or Canada on Tuesday in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The team is eyeing its 16th Copa America championship.

“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 the Albiceleste a 35th-minute lead from Messi’s corner kick. Ecuador’s Enner Valencia missed a penalty kick in the 62nd minute after Rodrigo De Paul’s handball, but Kevin Rodríguez equalized in stoppage time.

With Argentina taking the first penalty in the shootout, Messi missed his Panenka attempt. Martínez then saved Mena’s shot by diving left and deflecting the ball with his trailing hand. He denied Minda by leaping right, celebrating with a brief dance.

Julián Álvarez and Alexis Mac Allister scored to put Argentina ahead 2-0. John Yeboah converted Ecuador’s third attempt, followed by Gonzalo Montiel, who gave Argentina a 3-1 lead. Jordy Caicedo kept Ecuador in the game, but Otamendi’s final kick sealed the victory.

Despite the win, Scaloni admitted he “did not enjoy the win.”

“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 initially put Argentina ahead with a header in the 35th minute, assisted by Mac Allister. Rodríguez scored Ecuador’s equalizer by heading in John Yeboah’s cross.

“The quarterfinals had us playing against the most difficult opponent, and I thought we delivered well,” Ecuador coach Félix Sánchez Bas said through an interpreter. “We showed this team can compete against any opponent.”

Copa America regulations dictated that the match go directly to a shootout after regulation time, bypassing extra time.

Messi, who had sustained an injury on June 25 against Chile, missed Argentina’s group-stage finale. He received a loud ovation upon entering the field 45 minutes before kickoff.

“I think he finished the match well,” Scaloni said. “We asked him how he was feeling for the last time four minutes before the end.”

Although Messi has yet to score in this year’s Copa America, Argentina still managed to advance.

“I finished well,” Messi said. “I didn’t feel any pain.”

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Argentina Triumphs Over Ecuador in Tense Copa America Quarterfinal

In a nerve-wracking Copa America quarterfinal against Ecuador, Lionel Messi’s first penalty kick in the shootout hit the crossbar, recalling his successful attempt in the 2022 World Cup final. Despite this setback, Argentina’s hopes for advancing remained alive.

“I was upset,” Messi shared, “but I remained confident.” His faith in goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez was well-founded.

Martínez, renowned for his composure in high-pressure situations, blocked attempts from Ángel Mena and Alan Minda, securing Argentina’s advancement with a 4-2 shootout victory after a 1-1 tie on Thursday night.

“We know Dibu thrives in these moments,” Messi said, using Martínez’s nickname.

Argentina had conceded a tying goal to Ecuador in injury time, but they recovered, with Nicolás Otamendi scoring the decisive penalty.

“I wasn’t ready to go home,” Martínez said. “This team deserved to move forward. Ecuador gave us a tough match, very physical. We knew they were one of the top teams in Copa America.”

Argentina, seeking their third consecutive major title, will face either Venezuela or Canada in the semifinals on Tuesday in East Rutherford, New Jersey, aiming for their 16th Copa America title.

“Our goalkeeper came through in the clutch,” said Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni via an interpreter.

In front of 69,456 fans at NRG Stadium, Lisandro Martínez scored for Argentina in the 35th minute from Messi’s corner kick. Enner Valencia of Ecuador missed a penalty in the 62nd minute after a handball by Rodrigo De Paul, but Kevin Rodríguez equalized in stoppage time.

In the shootout, Messi missed his Panenka attempt, but Martínez saved Mena’s shot by diving left and deflecting the ball with his trailing hand. He then stopped Minda’s attempt by leaping right, celebrating with a brief dance.

Julián Álvarez and Alexis Mac Allister scored to put Argentina ahead 2-0. John Yeboah converted for Ecuador, followed by Gonzalo Montiel for Argentina, making it 3-1. Jordy Caicedo kept Ecuador in contention, but Otamendi sealed the win.

Despite the victory, Scaloni said, “I did not enjoy the win.”

“We’ve reached the semis, and given the level of competition, it’s a significant achievement,” he said.

Lisandro Martínez’s goal came from a header in the 35th minute, assisted by Mac Allister. Rodríguez scored Ecuador’s equalizer with a header from John Yeboah’s cross.

“We faced the toughest opponent in the quarterfinals and performed well,” said Ecuador coach Félix Sánchez Bas via an interpreter. “We proved we can compete against any team.”

Under Copa America rules, the match went straight to a shootout after regulation time.

Messi, who had been injured on June 25 against Chile, missed Argentina’s last group-stage game but received a warm reception upon entering the field 45 minutes before kickoff.

“I think he finished the match well,” Scaloni said. “We asked him about his condition four minutes before the end.”

Although Messi has not scored in this year’s Copa America, Argentina continues to advance.

“I finished well,” Messi said. “I didn’t feel any pain.”