Sports Desk, July 5 (EFE).- Emiliano Martinez rescued Argentina with two saves as the world champions beat Ecuador 4-2 on penalties Thursday and advanced to the semifinals of Copa America at the NRG Stadium in Houston.
Ecuador forced the penalty shootout with an equalizer in injury time as Kevin Rodriguez canceled out Lisandro Martinez’s first-half goal to help the side end the stipulated time 1-1.
With no extra time allocated for the match, Lionel Messi hit the crossbar with his first shot to the bewilderment of Argentina in the shootout.
But goalkeeper Martinez saved Ecuador’s first two shots, while Julian Alvarez, Alexis Mac Allister, Gonzalo Montiel, and Nicolas Otamendi all converted their shots to their reprieve.
The Albiceleste will now face the winners between Venezuela and Canada in the semifinals on Tuesday.
Messi shrugged off fitness concerns to start the game for Argentina, but the world champions were sluggish in their approach, often losing the ball to more energetic Ecuadorian players in the opening minutes.
They had Martinez to thank for saving them at least twice before Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez took them to the lead with his first-ever goal for Argentina in the 35th minute.
Mac Allister flicked a Messi corner back to Martinez in an unguarded position for the defender to head the ball home.
Argentina were unable to create a clear chance further and were lucky not to concede a goal around the hour mark.
Ecuador were awarded a penalty after the handball of Rodrigo de Paul, but Enner Valencia could only hit the post with his shot from the spot.
Just when it appeared Argentina were getting away with the solitary goal, Rodriguez’s shot took a slight deflection off Otamendi’s head to enter the goal, leaving the world champions with very little time to react. EFE
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