DEPENDING champions Argentina advanced to the Copa America semi-finals in the early hours of today with a 4-2 penalty shootout victory over Ecuador in Houston, Texas, the United States of America despite captain Lionel Messi missing his kick.
The match ended 1-1 at full-time and went straight to penalties, with no extra-time in this year’s tournament until the final.
Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez gave Argentina the lead in the 35th minute, stealing in at the back post after Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister headed on Messi’s corner kick.
Ecuador passed up a golden opportunity to pull level in the 66th minute when Enner Valencia missed a penalty awarded for a Rodrigo De Paul handball, but they eventually equalised in stoppage time through Kevin Rodríguez to take the contest to a shootout.
Messi took Argentina’s first penalty kick but hit the crossbar with a cheeky Panenka attempt before goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez saved Ecuador’s first two kicks in the shootout.
Nicolás Otamendi then beat Alexander Domínguez with the winning kick for Argentina after Julian Alvarez, Gonzalo Montiel and Mac Allister had also converted their attempts.
Argentina, who are seeking a third straight major title following their 2021 Copa America success and 2022 World Cup triumph, advanced to the semi-finals for the fifth straight Copa America and will face Venezuela or Canada on Tuesday at East Rutherford, New Jersey.
