Lionel Messi’s penalty kick ricocheted off the crossbar, leaving Argentina’s fate hanging in the balance. However, goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez rose to the challenge, denying Ecuador’s Ángel Mena and Alan Minda in the shootout.
Argentina advanced to the Copa America semifinals with a 4-2 victory, despite a 1-1 draw in regular time. Messi’s missed penalty kick was a rare misstep, but Martínez’s heroics ensured Argentina’s bid for a second consecutive Copa America title remained on track.
Martinez’s saves were a testament to his prowess in high-pressure situations, and Messi had faith in his goalkeeper’s abilities. “We know what Dibu is capable of, that he really thrives on those moments,” Messi said. Argentina’s coach, Lionel Scaloni, echoed Messi’s sentiments, praising Martínez for his clutch performance.
Argentina’s journey to the semifinals was not without its challenges. Ecuador pushed them to the limit, with Kevin Rodríguez equalizing in the dying minutes of the game. However, Argentina’s resilience and Martínez’s heroics finally secured their passage to the next round.
As Argentina seeks to win a record 16th Copa America title, they will face either Venezuela or Canada in the semifinals. Despite the victory, Scaloni acknowledged that the win was not without its struggles, saying, “I did not enjoy the win.”
Nevertheless, he recognized the importance of reaching the semifinals, stating, “We have reached the semis, and given the great level of performance of every national team, I think it’s a great achievement.”