Argentina beat Ecuador live updates (2024)

Lionel Messi missed from the spot after a late Ecuador equalizer took their Copa America quarterfinal against Argentina to penalties — but goalkeeper Emi Martinez helped to spare his blushes in a dramatic 4-2 shootout victory.

Argentina took the lead in the first half through Lisandro Martinez and the reigning Copa America and World Cup champions appeared to be coasting to victory.

But Kevin Rodriguez scored a stoppage-time equaliser to force the shootout, after captain Enner Valencia had earlier hit the post from the penalty spot.

There was shock when Messi missed the first spot kick of the shootout, but Martinez then made two saves before Nicolas Otamendi scored the decisive penalty to book a semifinal spot. Argentina will next play either Venezuela or Canada on Tuesday.

Argentina were seconds away from a place in the semifinals, having not conceded a goal in the group stage at Copa America, and then Kevin Rodriguez struck to take this match to penalties. Step forward Emi Martinez, this is your time…

• Argentina 0-0 Ecuador. Missed! Messi tried a Panenka but hit the top of the crossbar.
• Argentina 0-0 Ecuador. Saved! Angel Mena denied by Emi Martinez.
• Argentina 1-0 Ecuador. Scored! Julian Alvarez with a powerful right-foot shot into the top corner.
• Argentina 1-0 Ecuador. Saved! Alan Minda saw his effort saved by Martinez.
• Argentina 2-0 Ecuador. Scored! Alexis Mac Allister was the epitome of composed.
• Argentina 2-1 Ecuador. Scored! John Yeboah with a powerful finish.
• Argentina 3-1 Ecuador. Scored! No hesitation from Gonzalo Montiel.
• Argentina 3-2 Ecuador. Scored! Jordy Caicedo squeaked it past Martinez. Just.
• Argentina 4-2 Ecuador. Scored! Nicolas Otamendi puts Argentina in the semifinals!

Ecuador will feel it did a pretty good job controlling Messi through the first 45 minutes. He did not look limited physically at all after missing the group finale but after a half hour, he had just 11 touches in the game. Every time Messi floated wide to try to get on the ball in space, Ecuador closed down with multiple defenders. They weren’t going to let him hide near the touchline to find space.

In the next five minutes, however, Messi showed that all he needs is the smallest space and a couple of touches to change the game. In the 34th minute, he played a beautiful ball through to Enzo Fernandez that led to a chance for the Chelsea man only for the shot to be blocked and go out for a corner. One minute later, Messi served in that corner kick and it was flicked on by Alexis Mac Allister and finished at the far post by Lisandro Martinez. And just like that it was 1-0 Argentina.

The veteran striker had an unbelievable tournament at the World Cup in Qatar, scoring three goals in three games. This Copa América was, uh, less memorable.

Valencia picked up a red card for a ruthlessly high boot just 20 minutes into Ecuador’s tournament opener against Venezuela, leaving his team shorthanded for the majority of a 2-1 loss. Valencia then picked up a yellow card half an hour into Thursday’s game for a foul on Mac Allister.

But it was Valencia’s penalty attempt in the 62nd minute that hurt the most. With Emiliano Martinez diving the opposite way, Valencia didn’t make full contact with his shot, a weak effort that rolled off the left post and bounced wide.

It was an awkward-looking penalty that seemed almost like Valencia was trying so hard to read the goalkeeper’s dive that he failed to hit the ball with any conviction at all, wasting Ecuador’s best chance to draw level with Argentina.

Messi has won everything. He’s scored hundreds of goals across several continents. But he still hasn’t scored directly from a corner kick.

Termed an Olimpico, Messi appeared to be going for the elusive goal when his venomous service from the corner flag screamed towards Ecuador’s near post. Argentina midfielder Alexis Mac Allister reacted quickly and flicked Messi’s cross across the goalmouth. Lisando Martinez, unmarked at the far post, calmly headed the ball into the net to score his first goal for Argentina.

It was also the first time at this tournament that the defending champions had scored in the first half. It needed Messi’s service from wide areas, and a dead ball, for Argentina to break the deadlock.

Emi Martinez described the Mercedes-Benz Stadium pitch in Atlanta as “a disaster.” It certainly was not a surprising assessment from the outspoken Aston Villa goalkeeper.

Houston’s NRG Stadium, another domed NFL arena, didn’t play much better. It was fast and choppy. The ball bounced unpredictably, whether it was a short ball played laterally or off a long diagonal pass, while stripes of turf were clearly visible on television coverage.

Argentina’s players seemed to struggle more with the conditions of the pitch than Ecuador did. Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni has refused to discuss the pitch conditions after his scathing review after Argentina’s 2-0 win over Canada in Atlanta. He’ll have to hold back again if asked about Houston’s playing surface.

Through the first 30 minutes, Ecuador had fairly good control of the game. Messi had been limited to just 11 touches, mostly because Ecuador was pressing higher than expected and finding success cutting off service to Argentina’s attacking players.

On the ball, Ecuador was pushing quickly up the field, especially through the left side and Jeremy Sarmiento. Ecuador created a turnover near midfield in just the sixth minute, with Moisés Caicedo only managing a weak shot as four Argentina defenders converged in the box. Then, Sarmiento got a great look at goal in the 15th minute after beating Nahuel Molina.

Ecuador’s pressure and ability to recover defensively left Argentina with few answers. They struggled to find their midfielders in dangerous places and looked mostly to the wings to try to create chances. It’s what made Argentina’s corner such a devastating blow. Ecuador had been effective at limiting Argentina, only to see a set piece change the game.

Speaking after Argentina's win, Lionel Scaloni had praise for both Ecuador and his players: "We faced a very difficult team, very tough physically. We could have scored more goals in the first half. The second half was difficult, cut short.

"I'm happy for (goalscorer) Lisandro (Martinez), he played a good game. He was tired and I decided to take care of him (with his substitution).

"Our team is strong. At times they subdued us, but our team always reacts, regardless of whether we play well or badly.

"In the penalties, the team felt a blind trust in their goalkeeper. He is indispensable. When he saves penalties, it reverberates in the stadium."

Emi Martinez, the hero of Argentina's penalty-shootout victory, has received plenty of praise on our discussion page.

Argentina supporter Matan P.: Martinez is a cheat code in penalty shootouts. He is absolutely unbelievable. Julian Alvarez also has some stones, sticking his penalty in the top corner. As for the game, Ecuador were massive, we were objectively terrible.

Meanwhile, plenty of other subscribers had intense reactions to the chance Jordy Caicedo missed in stoppage time that surely would have won the game for Ecuador.

Daniel S.: Damn that header goes in and I would have been screaming

James F: Jordy Caicedo couldn’t hit water if he fell out of a boat. In the ocean.

Well! After that thrilling penalty shootout, we have the identity of our first semifinalist. Argentina will travel to MetLife Stadium and await the winner of Friday's quarterfinal between Venezuela and Canada.

You can see the full bracket here.

Lisandro Martinez, who scored his first career international goal tonight, became the first Argentina defender to score at Copa America since Victor Cuesta did so against Bolivia in the 2016 group stage.

As you can see from the graphic above, he also completed 100 percent of the 45 passes he attempted before coming off in the 78th minute.

After Argentina's victory, he said: "I'm incredibly excited to have scored my first goal with this jersey. (Assistant coach) Walter (Samuel) told me that on the first corner kick I had to go to the far post and so I did."

Emi Martinez also spoke after Argentina's penalty-shootout win: "They made it very difficult for us. They played a great game, very physical. We knew they were going to be one of the toughest opponents in the cup.

"I wasn't ready to go home. This group deserved to go on.

"I work to do this. I dive 500 times per training session. We have to give our best because the people deserve it."

Argentina have reached the semifinals of Copa America but had an almighty scare in the process.

Felipe Cardenas and Paul Tenorio have dissected the key talking points from NRG Stadium, including:

• How this back-and-forth game was won
• Messi's performance coming back from injury
• Enner Valencia's tournament to forget
• Finally a first-half goal for Argentina…was Messi going for an Olimpico?
• The rough and bumpy pitch
• How Ecuador tried to contain Argentina

Follow the link below to check out their breakdown!

Argentina have now won four straight penalty shootouts since Emi Martinez became their first-choice goalkeeper:

• 2021 Copa America semifinal vs Colombia
• 2022 World Cup quarterfinal vs Netherlands
• 2022 World Cup final vs France
• 2024 Copa America quarterfinal vs Ecuador

Penalties. Nothing like 'em. For just a moment there, it seemed like Lionel Messi would be the story, and for once not in the all-conquering-hero sense. Then along came Emiliano Martinez, disco dancing and dumping Ecuador out of the tournament.

The celebrations are wild. This isn't very scientific but there is just something about this Argentina team. They just know how to get it done.