Copa America 2024, July 4 summary

Messi started the round of penalties and missed, but the Dibu stopped two goals from Ecuador. Main photo: EFE

Argentina qualified for the semifinals and eliminated Ecuador on penalties on Thursday, July 4 in the quarterfinals of the 2024 Copa América. A goal by center back Lisandro Martínez, with a header off the far post following a corner, gave Argentina the lead against Ecuador at the end of the first half; but Kevin Rodríguez scored a goal and tied the match in the 91st minute of regulation time at the NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas (United States).

Lionel Messi missed the first shot of the penalty shootout, but two saves by goalkeeper Emiliano “Dibu” Martínez and goals by Julián Álvarez, Alexis Mac Allister, Gonzalo Montiel and Nicolás Otamendi gave the Albiceleste a place in the semifinals, which will await the winner of the match between Venezuela and Canada in the semifinal on July 9, which will be played this Friday, July 5 in Arlington, Texas.

Photo: EFE/EPA/LESLIE PLAZA JOHNSON

Argentina secured the first half

A goal by central defender Lisandro Martínez gave Argentina the lead at the end of the first half against Ecuador in this quarter-final match.

The world champions, with Leo Messi as a starter, showed their effectiveness. They scored in the 36th minute, with their only successful shot on goal and their third attempt. Before that, Ecuador could have taken the lead with two consecutive chances, first by Jeremy Sarmiento, which was blocked by Emiliano Martínez, and a subsequent shot from the edge of the area that went high off Kendry Páez.

In the second half it seemed that everything was over and that Argentina would leave with a 1-0 victory, but in the 91st minute of regulation Ecuador tied the game with a goal from Kevin Rodríguez, which minutes later gave way to the penalty shootout.