Argentina advance to the semi-finals of the Copa America with a dramatic victory over Ecuador. The defending champions won 4:2 on penalties in Houston.
05.07.2024, 07:23
05.07.2024, 12:51
SDA
However, star striker Lionel Messi, who had to sit out the last group game against Peru due to a leg injury, missed the first penalty.
Manchester United's Lisandro Martinez scored with his head in the 35th minute for the team of national coach Lionel Scaloni. Ecuador's Enner Valencia missed a penalty in the 61st minute, but Kevin Rodriguez equalized in the first minute of stoppage time.
Reigning South American and world champions Argentina had managed a perfect group stage without losing a point or conceding a goal. Argentina are the record champions of the Copa America with 15 titles.
With their defeat, however, the Ecuadorians continued their negative run at the Copa America. The Tricolor has not beaten a South American team at the tournament for 23 years. The team's only victories since 2001 have come against visiting teams from North and Central America and the Caribbean.
In the other quarter-finals, Venezuela will face Canada (on Friday), Colombia Panama and Brazil Uruguay (both on Saturday).
