With a dramatic victory against Ecuador, Argentina has advanced to the semifinals of the Copa América. The defending champions won 4-2 on penalties in Houston on Thursday evening (July 4, 2024, local time).
However, star striker Lionel Messi, who had to miss the last group match against Peru due to a leg injury, missed the first penalty. Lisandro Martínez of Manchester United scored with a header for national coach Lionel Scaloni’s Albiceleste in the 35th minute.
Ecuador’s Enner Valencia missed a penalty in the 61st minute, but Kevin Rodríguez equalised in the first minute of injury time.
Argentina record winner of the Copa America
The reigning South American and world champions Argentina had a perfect group phase without losing a point or conceding a goal. With 15 titles, Argentina are the record champions of the Copa America.
However, their defeat continued the Ecuadorians’ negative streak at the Copa América. The Tricolor has not won against a South American team in the tournament for 23 years. The team’s only victories since 2001 have been against visiting teams from North and Central America and the Caribbean.
Brazil vs Uruguay in the quarter-finals
In the other quarter-finals, Venezuela and Canada will meet on Friday, Colombia and Panama on Saturday and later Brazil and Uruguay.
