Penalty kicks qualify Argentina to the Copa America semi-finals

World champion Argentina needed penalty kicks to reach the semi-finals of the Copa America, beating Ecuador 4-2 after a 1-1 draw in Houston, USA.

The defending champion opened the scoring with a header from defender Lisandro Martinez (35), then defender Kevin Rodriguez equalized for Ecuador with a header as well in stoppage time (90+1).

The Argentine national team star, Lionel Messi, missed the first penalty kick after he executed it with a falling Panenka style, bringing back memories of him missing the opening penalty kick in the 2016 final against Chile in the United States as well, when Argentina lost 2-4 after a scoreless draw. However, Martinez saved him by blocking two penalty kicks in succession from Angel Mina and Alain Minda.

“Depo” Martinez saved three penalty kicks during the 3-2 victory over Colombia in the 2021 edition semi-finals. His most famous performance was in the Qatar 2022 World Cup final, when he blocked Kingsley Coman’s shot against France after a 3-3 draw, giving his country their third world title.

Argentina, the defending champion with a record of 15 titles, will play Tuesday in the semi-finals against the winner between Venezuela and Canada in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

Messi, the best player in the world eight times, participated in the start despite being doubtful about playing the match due to pain in the right adductor muscle.

This time, coach Lionel Scaloni started the tournament’s top scorer, Lautaro Martinez (4 goals), alongside Messi, before the latter left in the 65th minute, giving his place to the young Julián Alvarez.

Argentina, champion of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and one of the favorites to win the Copa title this year, topped their group in the first round, after defeating Canada 2-0, Chile 1-0, and Peru 2-0 with a reserve squad.

Argentina has not lost to Ecuador since 2015 in World Cup qualifiers and has never lost to them in the history of their confrontations in Copa America.

On the other hand, the fourth place is the best Ecuador has achieved in the history of their participation, in 1959 and 1993. After losing their opening match to Venezuela 1-2, Ecuador qualified by defeating Jamaica 3-1 and drawing 0-0 with Mexico.

In the remaining quarter-final matches, Brazil, which failed to top its group, will play in an anticipated match against Uruguay, the holder of the title with a record of 15 times, on Saturday in Las Vegas, Nevada, while Colombia will meet Panama in Glendale, Arizona.