Emi Martinez the Hero as Argentina Secure Copa America Semi-Final Spot.
Aston Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez was the standout hero as Argentina advanced to the Copa America semi-finals with a 4-2 penalty shootout victory over Ecuador.
The match, held in Houston, ended 1-1 in normal time before proceeding straight to penalties. Argentina got off to a shaky start when captain Lionel Messi’s chipped effort struck the crossbar. However, Ecuador failed to capitalise on this early advantage, with Martinez saving their first two spot-kicks from Angel Mena and Alan Minda.
Manchester City’s Julian Alvarez and Liverpool’s Alexis Mac Allister successfully converted their penalties for Argentina, while former Manchester City defender Nicolas Otamendi sealed the victory by converting the winning penalty after John Yeboah kept Ecuador’s hopes alive.
Ecuador had pushed the match to penalties with an injury-time equaliser when Kevin Rodriguez headed an in-swinging cross past Martinez. Earlier, Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez had given Argentina the lead in the first half by heading home from close range following a corner.
Despite being far from their best, Argentina held on. Ecuador missed a crucial chance to level the score on the hour mark when captain Enner Valencia hit the post from the penalty spot after Rodrigo De Paul was penalised for handball.
Martinez, who taunted the Ecuador fans following his spot-kick saves, turned to a largely Argentine crowd in Houston and pumped his arms in celebration after Valencia’s miss. The former Arsenal goalkeeper has now faced 24 penalties for Argentina, conceding just 12, with nine saves and three off-target misses.
Argentina, the 15-time Copa America champions, will face either Canada or Venezuela in the semi-finals.
In the aftermath of the defeat, Ecuador parted ways with manager Felix Sanchez, despite the Spaniard having three years remaining on his contract. The Ecuadorian Football Federation expressed their gratitude, stating, “We thank Felix and his coaching staff for their work and professionalism, and wish him success in his future endeavours.”
