Lionel Messi misses penalty but Argentina still qualify for Copa America semi-finals

CNN
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Goalkeeper Emi Martinez was Argentina’s hero The Albiceleste reached the semi-finals of the Copa América with a 4-2 penalty shootout victory over Ecuador after a 1-1 draw.

Argentina led for most of the match in Houston, Texas, after Manchester United defender Lisandro Martínez headed in a corner in the 35th minute.

But Ecuador found the equaliser in added time when Kevin Rodriguez sent his header into the bottom right corner following a whipped cross from John Yeboah.

The Sorting then had a great chance to win the game a few minutes later, but Jordy Caicedo placed his header wide of the post from just six yards out.

Without extra time, the match went straight to penalties and Lionel Messi missed his first penalty attempt, his Panenka hitting the top of the crossbar.

However, Martínez saved Ecuador’s next two penalties from Ángel Mena and Alan Minda as Argentina scored their next four to spare Messi trouble and book a place in the semi-finals, where they will face the winner of Friday’s quarter-final between Venezuela and Canada.

Martínez, who has built a reputation as a penalty-kicking specialist, performed his trademark dance after brilliantly saving Minda’s penalty.

The Aston Villa goalkeeper faced 24 penalties for Argentina and conceded just 12, including nine saves, according to the BBC.

“I work for this,” Martínez said after the match, according to the Argentine Football Federation. “I dive 500 times per training session. We always have to give our best, people deserve it.

“They made life very difficult for us. They played a great game, very physical. We knew they were going to be one of the toughest rivals in the cup, but I wasn’t ready to go home. This group deserved to continue.”

“These are special moments, being with our people, in a stadium full of Argentines. We didn’t play the game that people wanted to see, but fortunately we won.”