Argentina in the semi-finals of the Copa America, defeats Ecuador 4-2 on penalty kicks, after a 1-1 draw

HOUSTON (AP) — Lionel Messi stepped up to take Argentina’s first penalty kick in the Copa America shootout against Ecuador, just as he did in the 2022 World Cup final victory over France.

Only this time, Messi hit the crossbar, putting a trip to the semi-finals in jeopardy.

“I was pretty upset,” he said, “but at the same time I was safe.”

He trusted goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez, who saved Argentina’s bid for a second consecutive Copa America title.

Martínez stopped penalty attempts from Ángel Mena and Alan Minda and Argentina progressed to the Copa America semi-finals with a 4-2 penalty shootout victory after a 1-1 draw on Thursday night.

“We know what Dibu is capable of, that he really enjoys those moments. He likes it a lot,” Messi said of Martínez, using the goalkeeper’s nickname.

Argentina conceded an equalizer against Ecuador in second-half extra time, but bounced back to win the quarter-finals when Nicolás Otamendi beat Alexander Domínguez with the winner.

“I wasn’t ready to go home,” Martínez said. “This team deserved to advance. They made it very difficult for us. They played a great match, very physical. I knew I was one of the best rivals in the Copa America.”

In pursuit of a third consecutive title, Argentina advanced to the semifinals for a fifth straight Copa America and will play either Venezuela or Canada on Tuesday in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

Canada and Venezuela face off in the quarterfinals on Friday in Arlington, Texas.

Argentina are looking to win a record 16th Copa America championship.

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

Playing in front of a pro-Argentina crowd of 69,456 at the NRG Stadium, Lisandro Martínez gave the Albicelesta a 35th-minute lead after Messi’s corner kick. Ecuador’s Enner Valencia hit a free-kick off the post in the 62nd minute after a Rodrigo De Paul handball, but Kevin Rodríguez equalized in the first minute of the second half.

With Argentina leading the penalty shootout, Messi failed at Panenka’s attempt.

Martínez, the goalkeeper in Argentina’s 2022 World Cup finals win, stopped Mena by diving to his left and backhanding the ball. He denied Minda by jumping right, then followed up the save with a short dance.

Julián Álvarez and Alexis Mac Allister converted to put Argentina 2-0 up and John Yeboah scored Ecuador’s third try.

Gonzalo Montiel gave Argentina a 3-1 lead, Jordy Caicedo converted to keep Ecuador alive and Otamendi won, slotting the ball onto the post just past the outstretched arm of Domínguez.

Despite the win, Scaloni said he “didn’t like the win”.

“We made it to the semi-finals and given the high performance level of each national team, I think that’s a great achievement,” he said.

Lisandro Martínez put Argentina ahead in the 35th minute with a header after Mac Allister headed home Messi’s corner. Rodríguez scored when he headed in John Yeboah’s cross.

“The quarter-finals made us play against the most difficult opponent and I thought we did well,” Ecuador coach Félix Sánchez Bas said through an interpreter. “We showed that this team can compete against any opponent.”

According to Copa America regulations, the match went straight from the end of regulation to a penalty shootout without extra time.

Messi, who suffered the injury on June 25 against Chile, missed the group stage final in Argentina. He received a standing ovation when he entered the field 45 minutes before kick-off.

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

Messi has been kept clean in three Copa games this year, but Argentina still managed to advance.

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

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AP Copa America coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/copa-america

The Associated Press