Lionel Messi missed his penalty ut Argentina defeated Ecuador via penalties in their Copa America quarter-final to book their spot in the last four.
An Enzo Fernandez header had put Argentina 1-0 up just before the break but Kevin Rodriguez headed in a stoppage time leveller for Ecuador.
Messi missed the opening penalty, chipping against the bar, but Argentina recovered to win the shoot-out 4-2 and progress into the semis.
Lionel Messi allayed concerns about a hamstring injury to start the game and in the 35th minute the captain’s corner was flicked on by Alexis Mac Allister for Lisandro Martinez to score with a header to give Argentina a 1-0 lead.
Ecuador skipper Enner Valencia hit the post from the penalty spot before Kevin Rodriguez scored a stoppage-time equaliser to force the shootout. There is no extra time in Copa America knockout games apart from the final.
Seeking its third straight major title, Argentina advanced to the semifinals for the fifth straight Copa America and will play Venezuela or Canada on Tuesday at East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Messi was rested for Saturday’s 2-0 win over Peru in Miami, as part of nine changes made by coach Lionel Scaloni but returns to the starting line-up for the last-eight clash at NRG Stadium.
Lautaro Martinez, the top scorer in the tournament so far with four goals from three games, retains his place in attack at the expense of Julian Alvarez. Scaloni reverted to the midfield and defence he used in the line-up against Chile in the penultimate group stage game which the world champions won 1-0.
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Ritayan Basu
Ritayan Basu, Senior Sub-Editor, Sports at News18.com. Has been covering domesti
first published: July 05, 2024, 08:48 IST
Source link : https://www.news18.com/amp/football/copa-america-lionel-messi-misses-penalty-but-argentina-reach-semi-finals-with-shootout-win-over-ecuador-8954989.html
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Publish date : 2024-07-04 23:18:14
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