As if the tying goal from Ecuador’s Kevin Martinez at 90 +1 just when Argentina and their fans were warming up to celebrate their apparent trip to the semi-finals was not enough to shock their senses.
Messi’s miss as the first player up during the penalty shootout, put an entire nation in a state of desperation.
Just when Argentina looked lost with Messi’s failure, Emiliano ‘Dibu’ Martinez’ goaltending saved the night, stopping player after player, allowing only two successful kicks from the Ecuadorean squad, complemented by successful kicks from the rest of the Argentine team to give the defending champions what they needed to advance to the Copa America semi-finals.
Ecuador said goodbye with their heads held high, keeping Argentina in trouble from start to finish, with various opportunities to end the defending champion’s run and instead advance themselves.
However, as in the Qatar 2022 World Cup, the Argentine goalkeeper’s saves made the difference them a spot into the semifinals where it awaits either Venezuela or Canada.
Copa America: Argentina 1(4)-(2)1 Ecuador
- Messi’s in Panenka style…miss
Lionel Messi took responsibility for the first shot in the penalty shootout; however, in his attempt to score at ‘Panenka’ style, the ball crashed into the top post.
Fortunately, two saves by ‘Dibu’ Martínez and kicks scored by Julián Álvarez, Alexis Mac Allister, Gonzalo Montiel and Nicolás Otamendi was enough to advance.
- Dibu’s show
‘Dibu’ Martínez played his part by deflecting Ecuador’s first kick from Angel Mena’s shot immediately after the Messi miss, putting the game back on track, followed by another save against Alan Minda.
“I was not ready to go home, I told my teammates, my family, my children: ‘Dad is not going home’, and I didn’t go home,” said the Argentine goalkeeper at the end of the match.
- Lisandro Martínez makes his first goal with ‘La Albiceleste’
A goal by Lisandro Martínez, a header in the 36th minute, gave Argentina the lead at the end of the first half and the only goal for the team during regulation at NRG Stadium.
The central defender scored his first goal in 21 appearances for La Albiceleste.
- Enner Valencia missed the most important one for Ecuador
Ecuador kept Argentina in trouble during the match, and they could have gone ahead in regular time at the hands of their captain, Enner Valencia.
‘La Tri’ had the opportunity to tie the score earlier with a penalty kick in the 61st minute, which Valencia missed by hitting the left post which would have been out of ‘Dibu’ Martinez’s reach.
- The first conceded by Argentina
In three matches during the Group Stage, Argentina had not conceded a single goal until Kevin Rodriguez’s goal in the 90+1 minute forced Ecuador into a penalty shootout.
