Defending champion Argentina advanced to the Copa America semifinals, beating Ecuador 4-2 on penalty kicks following a 1-1 draw after conceding a tying goal in second-half injury time. (More Football News)
Lionel Messi 💝on Thursday night put Argentina's first penalty kick off the crossbar but goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez saved Ecuador's first two attempts in the shootout and Nicolas Otamendi beat Alexander Domínguez with the winning kick.
Liisandro Martinez gave the Albiceleste a 35th-minute lead, but Kevin Rodriguez tied the score in the first minute of second-half stoppage time. Ecuador's Enner Valencia h♛ad put a penalty kick off a post in the 62nd minute after a hꦡand ball by Rodrigo De Paul.
Seeking its third straight major title, Argentina advanced to the semifinals for the fifth straight Copa America and wil𓃲l play Venezu♛ela or Canada on Tuesday at East Rutherford, New Jersey. Argentina is looking to win a record Copa America championship.
With Argentina going first in the shootout, Messi tried a Panenka🌠 and hit the crossbar.
Martinez, the goalkeeper in Argentina's shootout win over France in the 2022 World Cup final, saved shootout kicks by Angel Mena ꦰand Alꦓan Minda.
Julian Alvarez and Alexis Mac Allister converted to put Argentina ahead 2-🐟0, and John Yeboah made🅰 Ecuador's third attempt.
Gonzalo Montiel gave Argentina a 3-1 💞lead, Jordy Caicedo converted to keep Ecuador alive and Otamendi got 🧸the winner.
Liisandro Martínez put Argentina ahead in𒐪 the 35th minute with a header afte🅷r Mac Allister headed on Messi's corner kick.
🐷Rodriguez score꧑d when he headed in John Yeboah's cross.
Messi, who did not play in Argentina's last group stage match against Peru due to a leg injury he sustained June 25 against Chile, got a loud ovation when he entered the field 45 minutes before 𓃲kickoff.
