July 05, (THEWILL) – Argentina narrowly defeated Ecuador in a tense Copa America quarter-final match, booking their spot in the semi-finals through a penalty shootout. The reigning champions faced a significant challenge at NRG Stadium, when Kevin Rodriguez’s stoppage-time equaliser nullified Lisandro Martinez’s first-half header, forcing the match into extra time.
The shootout began with an unexpected twist as Lionel Messi, who had returned to the side after recovering from a hamstring injury, missed his penalty attempt with a failed Panenka chip that struck the crossbar. However, goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, who had previously distinguished himself in Argentina’s 2022 World Cup victory, stepped up to save the day. He made crucial saves against Angel Mena and Alan Minda, allowing Nicolas Otamendi to deliver the decisive kick that propelled Lionel Scaloni’s team to victory.
The match had started with Ecuador showing promise, breaking their 27-year goal drought in Copa America quarter-finals. They created early opportunities, with Moises Caicedo and Jeremy Sarmiento both coming close to scoring. Argentina, however, took the lead in the 35th minute when Lisandro Martinez headed in Alexis Mac Allister’s flick from a Messi corner.
Ecuador had a golden opportunity to equalise after the hour mark when they were awarded a penalty due to Rodrigo De Paul’s handball. Enner Valencia took the spot-kick but struck the post, despite sending Emiliano Martinez the wrong way. The match seemed destined for an Argentina victory until Rodriguez’s last-minute header from John Yeboah’s cross forced the game into extra time and, ultimately, penalties.
The dramatic shootout saw Martinez emerge as the hero once again, making crucial saves that compensated for Messi’s miss. This victory keeps Argentina’s title defence on track, albeit by a narrow margin. As the first team to reach the semi-finals, they will now await their next opponent in their ongoing quest to retain the Copa America trophy.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
