In a recreation that includes Lionel Messi, it’s tough to think about anybody else stealing the highlight. Even on his unhealthy days, he manages to supply a couple of moments of magic, leaving the opposition on the ground. Sadly, Argentina and their supporters weren’t handled to Messi’s unabashed genius in Thursday’s (July 4) Copa America 2024 quarter-final conflict towards Ecuador. Actually, it was one in all Messi’s worst shows in an Argentina shirt. However fortunately, the Inter Miami star had his crew, and particularly Emiliano Martinez, selecting up the items. Courtesy of Martinez’s heroics beneath the crossbar, Argentina claimed a 4-2 victory on penalties after Ecuador held them to a 1-1 attract regulation time.
Argentina Fail To Finest Ecuador In 90 Minutes
Reigning champions Argentina have been heavy favorites to proceed to the semi-finals, as they’d underdogs Ecuador standing of their manner. Nevertheless, for almost all of the match, Ecuador appeared just like the extra dominant power, making a slew of alternatives to search out the again of the online.
Jeremy Sarmiento drew a superb save out of Martinez within the fifteenth minute, with the Aston Villa stopper reacting fantastically to disclaim the attacker from shut vary. The next minute, Angelo Preciado skied a goalscoring alternative from inside the realm.
Having been beneath the cosh for the primary half-hour, Argentina made use of a nook kick to place themselves in entrance. Within the thirty fifth minute, Messi delivered the ball on the close to submit, which Alexis Mac Allister nodded towards the far submit. Argentine center-back Lisandro Martinez attacked the ball with ferocity, heading it into the again of the online.
Ecuador had a wonderful alternative to equalize from the penalty spot within the 62nd minute. However designated penalty-taker Enner Valencia rattled the left-hand submit along with his effort. Piero Hincapie despatched the rebound into the facet netting.
The underdogs, nonetheless, did equalize earlier than the ultimate whistle, with Kevin Rodriguez dispatching a thumping injury-time header to degree the rating at 1-1. Since Copa America 2024 doesn’t have additional time (aside from the ultimate), the sport went straight to penalties.
Lisandro Martinez Masks Lionel Messi’s Blunder
Argentina captain Messi got here out to take the primary penalty kick. The Barcelona icon tried a ‘Panenka’, however miscalculated the facility supply, sending his lob clattering towards the crossbar and behind. Happily, Argentina had top-of-the-line shootout goalkeepers, Martinez, of their nook. Effervescent with confidence, the 31-year-old took his place, dove to his left, and denied Ecuador’s first kick-taker, Angel Mena.
Julian Alvarez took Argentina’s second kick, curling it into the highest proper. Then, Martinez labored his magic for the second successive time, denying Alan Minda from the spot and giving his crew the lead. Mac Allister, Gonzalo Montiel, and Nicolas Otamendi put away Argentina’s subsequent three penalty kicks to seal a 4-2 victory.
After the sport, Martinez stated he was in no temper to go house this early, including his crew deserved to be within the semi-finals.
The 2022 FIFA World Cup Golden Glove winner stated (by way of The Guardian):
“I wasn’t able to go house. This crew deserved to advance. They sophisticated us rather a lot. They performed an excellent match, very bodily. We knew they have been one of many prime rivals in Copa América.”
Having clinched a hard-fought victory, Messi and Co. will hope for a extra commanding show after they meet Venezuela or Canada within the semi-finals.
