In a suspense-filled night of football at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas, defending champions Argentina edged past Ecuador to book their place in the semifinals of the 2024 Copa America. This thrilling encounter, which ended in a 1-1 draw, was decided through a nail-biting penalty shootout, where Argentina emerged victorious with a 4-2 scoreline.
The night didn’t start perfectly for Argentina as their captain, Lionel Messi, saw his first penalty kick ricochet off the crossbar. However, the turning point came when goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez rose to the occasion, saving Ecuador’s first two penalty attempts by Angel Mena and Alan Minda. The heroics of Martinez provided Argentina with a substantial advantage, and it was ultimately Nicolas Otamendi who delivered the decisive penalty, beating Ecuador’s Alexander Dominguez and securing the win for his team.
Argentina had initially taken the lead in the 35th minute through Liisandro Martinez, who scored with a powerful header following a corner kick by Lionel Messi that was cleverly directed towards the goal by Alexis Mac Allister. Despite their dominance, Argentina couldn’t prevent Ecuador from bouncing back. In the first minute of second-half injury time, Kevin Rodriguez found the back of the net with a well-placed header off John Yeboah’s cross, bringing the scoreline to 1-1 and forcing the match into a penalty shootout.
Ecuador had their chances to turn the game around earlier. Enner Valencia’s penalty kick in the 62nd minute, following a handball by Argentina’s Rodrigo De Paul, could have shifted the momentum but instead struck the post, sparing Argentina from conceding a second goal. This missed opportunity haunted Ecuador as the match dragged into extra time and subsequently into penalties.
As the match proceeded to the penalties, Argentina decided to go first. Despite Messi’s Panenka attempt ending in disappointment, with the ball hitting the crossbar, the Albiceleste did not lose heart. Martinez’s critical saves ignited hope among the Argentine ranks. Julian Alvarez and Alexis Mac Allister seamlessly converted their penalties, placing Argentina in a 2-0 lead.
. Ecuador showed resilience with John Yeboah successfully netting his penalty, narrowing the gap. The tension soared as Gonzalo Montiel stepped up to give Argentina a 3-1 advantage, which was soon followed by Jordy Caicedo’s successful attempt for Ecuador to make it 3-2.
With everything resting on the final few kicks, Nicolas Otamendi kept his nerve and found the net, ensuring Argentina’s victory and sending ripples of jubilation through the Argentine squad and their fans.
Messi, who had missed Argentina’s last group stage match against Peru due to a leg injury sustained in a previous game against Chile, received a rousing ovation when he took to the field 45 minutes before the kickoff. Despite his missed penalty in the shootout, his influence on the game was palpable.
Argentina is now set to face either Venezuela or Canada in the semifinals on Tuesday at East Rutherford, New Jersey. The anticipation is high as Argentina seeks its third consecutive major title and aims for a historic Copa America championship.
This match highlighted Argentina’s resilience and ability to perform under pressure, qualities that have characterized their journey through international football tournaments. The squad’s collective effort, particularly the standout performances from Emiliano Martinez and substitute players, showcased their depth and determination to succeed.
Their journey so far has been marked by critical moments, such as their win over France in the 2022 World Cup final, which was also decided by a penalty shootout. This experience seemed to carry over to the Copa America quarter-final, where their composure and strategy paid off yet again.
As the tournament progresses, Argentina’s eyes are set firmly on the prize. Their consistent performance in the Copa America, having reached the semifinals for the fifth consecutive time, reflects a team that has found its rhythm and is ready to tackle the challenges ahead. Argentina’s fans around the globe are undoubtedly hopeful that their national team can continue this streak and bring home another prestigious title.
