Emiliano Martinez saved two penalties to spare Lionel Messi’s blushes as Argentina advanced to the Copa America semi-final.
Argentina, once again, had goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez to thank as they beat Ecuador 4-2 on penalties in their Copa America 2024 quarter-final on Friday morning.
After not conceding a goal during the group stages, Argentina were put under defensive pressure early as Ecuador had two efforts in the 15th minute.
Lionel Scaloni’s side grew into the contest, however, and they opened the scoring after 35 minutes.
A corner from Lionel Messi was flicked on by Alexis Mac Allister with Lisandro Martinez on hand to head home at the far post to give Argentina the lead and score his first international goal.
The defending champions took a precious 1-0 lead into half-time having never previously lost a match at the tournament when ahead at the break.
Ecuador were given a golden chance to equalise early in the second half after they were awarded a penalty for an Argentina handball.
But veteran forward Enner Valencia, who was sent off earlier in the tournament, scuffed his effort onto the post as they wasted a great chance to get back into the contest.
Ecuador continued to push for an equaliser and sensationally found the back of the net in injury-time through Kevin Rodriguez as the quarter-final was pushed to penalty shootout.
Messi missed the first spot-kick as his effort crashed off the crossbar but Emiliano Martinez stepped up to save Ecuador’s first two attempts.
After Messi’s miss, Argentina wouldn’t falter again as Nicolas Otamendi dispatched the winning penalty to send the defending champions through to the semi-finals.
Martinez once again stepping up for his nation in a shootout, with the 31-year-old winning all four he’s been part of with Argentina and only half of the spot-kicks he’s faced converted (9/18).
Argentina will now face the winner of Venezuela v Canada in the semi-finals on July 10. (Optus)
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