This Thursday, in the quarterfinals of the Copa América, Argentina faced Ecuador at the NRG Stadium and drew 1-1. The current world champion’s goal was scored by Lisandro Martinez, while Kevin Rodríguez equalized. In the penalties, despite Messi’s missed penalty, Emiliano Martinez shone and took the Argentines to the semi-final.
With the positive result, the team led by Lionel Scaloni, who finished first in Group A, lost their 100% success rate but advanced. Ecuador, which qualified second in Group B, says goodbye to the Copa América.
Argentina awaits the winner of the duel between Canada and Venezuela, which takes place this Friday. The semifinal match will be held on Tuesday at MetLife Stadium.
First half
Ecuador made the first risky move in the 16th minute. Sarmiento received it from Caicedo, cleared the opponent, and finished for Emiliano Martínez to save. However, the remainder remained. Later, Kendry Páez missed a chance.
Two minutes later, the Ecuadorians attacked again with Preciad. A fantastic pass was made by Internacional’s Enner Valencia to his teammate, who finished over the goal.
Argentina launched an attack in the 28th minute with Molina. The full-back crossed to Enzo Fernández, who headed the ball out of the goal defended by Alexander Domínguez.
However, Argentina opened the scoring in the first stage. After Lionel Messi’s corner kick, Mac Allister deflected, and the ball found the free Lisandro Martínez. So the athlete didn’t forgive and ended up finding the back of the net.
Shortly before the half ended, a poor pass to goalkeeper Dominguez worried Corinthians’ Félix Torres. Thus, the archer was forced to move to the side.
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second half
In the 16th minute, after the corner taken by the Ecuadorians, De Paul touched the ball inside the area, generating the penalty for Valencia to take. However, the Internacional striker hit the post and wasted the goal. opportunity to equalize the score.
At 23, Lionel Messi, after dominating perfectly, finished in second place. However, goalkeeper Domínguez, well positioned, made the save.
The Argentine star, in the 26th minute, appeared to take the free kick inside the area. After the hit, the ball was left inside the area, and Hincapié cleared it away. Kevin Rodriguez later scored to take the team to penalties.
Also Read: The United States, host of the Copa América, is eliminated after a 1-0 defeat against Uruguay
Penalty shootout
Messi started wasting the charges. However, Ángel Mena had his penalty saved, while Julián Álvarez converted the Argentines’ first. Afterwards, Emiliano Martinez shone again and saved Alan Minda’s goal.
Although John Yeboah and Jordy Calcedo converted afterwards, Alexis Mac Allister, Gonzalo Montiel, and Otamendi closed the account and guaranteed the current world champion’s place in the semifinals.
