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Argentina reaches Copa America semifinals, beating Ecuador 4-2 on penalty kicks after 1-1 draw

the reigning world champion Argentina reached the finals of the Copa America semifinals, beating Ecuador 4-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw following Ecuador conceded a goal in the second half during the injury-time.

Houston (AP) — Lionel Messi stepped up to play the first kick of Argentina’s penalty kick during the Copa America shootout against Ecuador exactly as the way he did in 2022’s World Cup final victory over France .

The second time Messi reached the line and has the chance of missing out on his final match.

“I was pretty upset,” he said to me, “but at the same that I was also safe. “

He was confident on goalie Emiliano Martinez, who kept Argentina’s hopes alive for the third time in a row for a Copa America title,

Martinez ended shootouts played by Angel Mena and Alan Minda and Argentina reached the Finals at the Copa America semifinals with a 4-2 victory on penalty kicks following a 1–1 draw on the night of Thursday.

“We are aware of the kind of things Dibu can do being able to do, and he truly enjoys these moments. He truly enjoys these moments,” Messi declared about Martinez by referring on the name given to him by the goalie.

Argentina was beaten by an equalizer to Ecuador in the second quarter of the injury time period, but came back and won in the quarterfinals. Nicolas Otamendi beat Alexander Dominguez by scoring a winner.

“I wasn’t ready to go home,” Martinez declared. “This team deserves to continue. They put up many challenges for us. They played a great game, very physically. We knew they would be among the best competitors in the Copa America. “

Looking for the third time in a row, Argentina is looking to win a major title. Argentina made it to the semifinals for five times in Copa America and will play Venezuela or Canada on Tuesday in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Argentina is hoping to win an unheard-of 16. Copa America championship.

“Our goalkeeper came up clutch,” Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said through an interpreter.

Albiceleste took on the Argentina-based pro-Argentinian crowd of 69,456 fans in NRG Stadium, Lisandro Martinez gave with the Albiceleste an early advantage during the 35th minute, following Messi’s goal from the corner. Ecuador’s Enner Valencia scored a penalty extra-time kick to an upright during the 2nd minutes following a handball by Rodrigo De Paul, but Kevin Rodriguez tied it in the first minute of second half’s the stoppage time.

The team of Argentina having been the first country to be involved during the shootout Messi was unsuccessful on his Panenka shot.

Martinez Martinez, goalie for Argentina’s goalie in the 2022 World Cup final win, ended Mena by soaring to his left, and then striking the ball with his leading glove. He thwarted Minda by leaping left, and then following the save, doing a quick dance.

Julian Alvarez and Alexis Mac Allister were the ones in order to put Argentina ahead by two goals. John Yeboah made Ecuador’s third attempt.

Gonzalo Montiel gave Argentina a 3-1 lead. Jordy Caicedo scored the goal that kept Ecuador alive. Otamendi took the lead in the game by inserting the ball into the post, right through his arms.

Even though he won Scaloni acknowledged that the win wasn’t his most favorite “did not really enjoy the victory. “

“We have reached the semis, and given the great level of performance of every national team, I think it’s a great achievement,” he said.

Lisandro Martinez netted to send Argentina ahead in the 37th minute scoring a goal to put the ball in the 37th minute after Mac Allister headed on Messi’s corner kick. Rodriguez scored after he put his foot on John Yeboah’s cross.

“The quarterfinals had us playing against the most difficult opponent, and I thought we delivered well,” Ecuador coach Felix Sanchez Bas said through an interpreter. “We proved that our team that it can take on any opponent. “

As per Copa America regulations, the game was played straight from the last regulation phase, to a shootout, without additional time.

Messi who sustained the injury on the 25th of June during the game against Chile was not able to take part in Argentina’s final group stage. The crowd was booing him as he stepped onto the field for 45 minutes prior to kick-off.

“I think he finished the match well,” Scaloni said. “We asked the player how he was feeling in the final about four minutes prior to the end. “

Messi didn’t score any goals during all three Copa events in the last year however Argentina nonetheless managed to make it through.

“I finished well,” the man stated. “I did not have any pain at all. “