Lionel Messi's penalty blushes were spared by hero goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, as Argentina progressed to the Copa America semifinals with a 4-2 penalty shootout win against Ecuador.
Tied at 1-1 after 90 minutes, Messi was the only Argentina player to miss in the shootout, with his 'Panenka' chip striking the crossbar. However, Martinez saved the first two Ecuador penalties to send the Copa America favourites through to the last four in front of a full house at NRG Stadium in Houston.
Veteran centre-back Nicolas Otamendi stroked home the winning penalty to secure a win that Ecuador could have nabbed themselves if it wasn't for a lack of composure.
Ecuador squandered early chances through Moises Caicedo and Jeremy Sarmiento before Lisandro Martinez was unmarked at the back post to head Argentina into the lead on 35 minutes.
The underdogs had the perfect chance to equalise in the second half, when after 62 minutes Rodrigo De Paul was penalised for handball inside the penalty area, but veteran attacker Enner Valencia struck his spot-kick off the post.
It looked like Argentina would secure a cagey 1-0 win until an extraordinary stoppage-time equaliser was scored by Kevin Rodriguez, who flicked home an excellent cross by John Yeboah.
Ecuador then went on to nearly win the match in injury time, as Jordy Caicedo failed to make decisive contact on a header after a teasing cross into the box.
With no extra time played until the Copa America final, penalties followed, with Messi — who had looked out of sorts all night, perhaps still carrying the effects of an injury that kept him out against Peru — stepping up first to the spot. In an extraordinary moment, Messi's "Panenka" penalty clipped the top of the crossbar and went over, giving Argentina the worst possible start to the shootout.
But the Albiceleste possess a goalkeeping behemoth in Martinez, who dove in each direction to save penalties from Angel Mena and Alan Minda to get his side in front, with substitute Julian Alvarez scoring Argentina's second attempt.
No further penalties were missed in the shootout as Otamendi stepped up to win the game and secure a semifinal for Argentina against either Venezuela or Canada.
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Argentina vs. Ecuador final score (after penalties)
| Final Score | Goal scorers | |
| Argentina | 1(4) | Li. Martinez 35' |
| Ecuador | 1(2) | Rodriguez 90+1' |
Venue: NRG Stadium, Houston
Referee: Andres Matonte (URU)
Starting lineups:
Argentina (4-3-3, right to left): 23. E. Martinez (GK) — 26. Molina, 13. Romero, 25. Li. Martinez (Otamendi 78'), 3. Tagliafico — 24. Fernandez (Lo Celso 78'), 7. De Paul, 20. Mac Allister — 10 Messi, 15. Gonzalez, 22. La. Martinez (Alvarez 65')
Ecuador (4-2-3-1, right to left): 22. Dominguez (GK) — 17. Preciado, 2. Torres, 6. Pacho, 3. Hincapie — 21. Franco (J.Caicedo 87'), 23. M. Caicedo — 8. Gruezo (Mena 80'), 10. Paez (Minda 76'), 16. Sarmiento (Rodriguez 76') — 13. Valencia (Yeboah 80').
MORE: Messi's all-time record at the Copa America
Argentina vs. Ecuador live updates, highlights from Copa America 2024
FULL-TIME: Argentina 1-1 Ecuador (4-2 pens)
Argentina 4-2 Ecuador: ARGENTINA SCORES — Otamendi wins it for Argentina. They are on their way to the semifinals!
Argentina 3-2 Ecuador: ECUADOR SCORES — Caicedo's penalty is touched by Martinez but he can't keep it out.
Argentina 3-1 Ecuador: ARGENTINA SCORES — Montiel side foots it home and Argentina are on the brink.
Argentina 2-1 Ecuador: ECUADOR SCORES — Yeboah keeps Ecuador alive by blasting into the top corner.
Argentina 2-0 Ecuador: ARGENTINA SCORES — McAllister slides the penalty into the right-bottom corner. Argentina are close here.
Argentina 1-0 Ecuador: ECUADOR MISS — Martinez makes another save. He denies Minda. Incredible.
Argentina 1-0 Ecuador: ARGENTINA SCORES — Alvarez blasts his penalty into the top corner. Favourites on the board.
Argentina 0-0 Ecuador: ECUADOR MISS — Martinez saves Messi's blushes by denying Mena. The crowd is going nuts. Wow!
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Argentina 0-0 Ecuador: ARGENTINA AND MESSI MISS! — Messi misses the penalty. Oh my word! His chipped "Panenka" penalty hits the crossbar and goes over!
PENALTY SHOOTOUT: We are about to find out who is shooting first. Argentina to take first. Lionel Messi steps up.
FULL TIME: Argentina 1-1 Ecuador. We are going to penalties after the late equaliser from Kevin Rodriguez. There is no extra time in the Copa America until the final. So we are straight to penalties.
97th min: Chance — Ecuador. Jordy Caicedo nearly wins it for Ecuador! The cross is swung in, Caicedo makes contact but clips the header wide. Wow. Surely we are going to penalties now?
94th min: VAR confirms the goal and it looks like we are going to penalties. Probably two minutes left.
91st min: GOAL! ECUADOR! Incredible. Ecuador equalise in stoppage time. Yeboah swings in a delightful cross from deep and Rodriguez flicks the header into the bottom corner. VAR checking currently.
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90th min: There will be five minutes of added on time.
90th min: Chance — Ecuador. Jordy Caicedo finds space on a tight angle but he shoots way wide. Is that the last chance for Ecuador?
89th min: Argentina doing well to deny Ecuador any momentum at the moment. We now wait for added on time.
85th min: Argentina in no hurry at the moment. You would expect them to throw the kitchen sink at Argentina from here on out. Should be at least six minutes of added time. Could even be more.
82nd min: Mena strikes the free-kick straight in the wall. Argentina spring a counter-attack but the referee stops play when Romero goes down. Argentina are furious. They wanted advantage as Alvarez streamed through.
81st min: Free-kick in a dangerous area for Ecuador. Yeboah is fouled by Tagliafico, who has been carded.
80th min: Substitutions — Ecuador. Valencia comes from the field for Yeboah and Mena replaces Gruezo.
78th min: Substitutions — Argentina. Lo Celso comes into midfield for Fernandez, while Otamendi replaces goalscorer Lisandro Martinez.
76th min: Substitutions — Ecuador. Minda and Rodriguez enter the fray for Paez and Sarmiento. Ecuador will play with two up top.
75th min: Just a reminder, there is no extra time if scores are level. We are straight to penalties. Extra time is only played in the Copa America final.
73rd min: Ecuador swing a dangerous counter-attack, started by Valencia. The ball bobbles dangerously in the box but it doesn't fall to Valencia and Argentina clear.
71st min: Ecuador struggling now. Valencia is isolated up top. Argentina look more like scoring a second. Still no changes for Ecuador. Surely coming soon?
68th min: Chance —Argentina. Pacho misses the clearance and the ball falls to Messi, who's shot on the half volley is straight into the arms of Dominguez. That was nearly a gift-wrapped second goal.
67th min: Will Ecuador have another moment to get back in this game? Or can Argentina the job done?
65th min: Substitution — Argentina. Julian Alvarez comes on for Lautaro Martinez
62nd min: PENALTY MISS — ECUADOR! Valencia strikes the post and the ball rebounds out. Ecuador can't get another decent chance on goal from the play. Wow. Argentina survive a huge scare!
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60th min: PENALTY! Penalty awarded to Ecuador. Handball against De Paul from the corner. VAR has cleared the decision. Valencia to take the penalty. However, Argentina are still disputing the call.
59th min: Caicedo flicks the ball into a dangerous area for Sarmiento, but Martinez clears for a corner.
57th min: Caicedo's second attempt at a corner is straight into Emi Martinez's arms. De Paul is now down needing treatment in the penalty area.
56th min: Romero scuffs his clearance and concedes a needless corner — Caicedo whips it in and it's cleared. Another corner.
54th min: Moises Caicedo is down getting treatment at the moment. Been down for a few minutes. This means there will be a lot of stoppage time added on after the 90.
51st min: A good spell of pressure from Ecuador here. Argentina have withdrawn their defensive line deeper and they prevent Ecuador from creating an opportunity.
49th min: Cagey start to the second period. Argentina are definitely sitting a little deeper now they have the one-goal advantage.
46th min: Messi is out there for the second half. There was speculation he might only play a half tonight. No substitutions for either nation!
2nd half kickoff: We are underway in the second period. Can Ecuador get back into the match? Or will Argentina march on?
Half time: Argentina 1-0 Ecuador. Lisandro Martinez's first-ever goal for Argentina separates the two teams. Ecuador should have taken the lead earlier in the half with golden chances squandered by Moises Caicedo and Jeremy Sarmiento. But the world champions rode through the storm and head to the break in the lead. Martinez's goal was brilliantly set up by Alexis Mac Allister's flick. It was poor defending by Ecuador, with Lisandro unmarked at the far post.
46th min: Game has been stopped after Mac Allister was winded by as Caicedo cross. We have resumed.
45th min: There will be two minutes of added on time.
45th min: Valencia, who has already been carded, is involved in another incident. He needs to be careful
42nd min: CHANCE, ARGENTINA! Pacho gives the ball away. It ends up with Fernandez in the box, he sends the cross-shot through the area but Lautaro can't get a boot on it. Ecuador need to get to half-time without conceding another goal. Argentina are going for the jugular.
40th min: That goal will be soul crushing for Ecuador, who should have had the lead earlier. Ecuador have never beaten Argentina at Copa America. And it's a long road back from 1-0 down.
35th min: GOAL! ARGENTINA! Lisandro Martinez arrives at the back post unmarked to head the corner into the net. It was an excellent flick from Mac Allister at the front post but no one was near Martinez. Dominguez did claw the ball out of the net but it was well over the line.
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34th min: CHANCE, ARGENTINA! Fernandez makes a run through the middle of the defence. He picks up the ball, is slowed at the top of the area, has runners on both sides, but decides to shoot and it's blocked for a corner.
32nd min: Good spell for Argentina in recent minutes. Ecuador have defended deep and well though so far.
28th min: Valencia is down getting treatment. The crowd boo. De Paul is not happy. This stoppage is good for Ecuador, as it feels like Argentina could be starting to find some rhythm.
27th min: CHANCE, ARGENTINA! Fernandez heads just wide of the post after an excellent cross from the right. Finally signs of life from the favourites.
26th min: Argentina have had 64 per cent possession so fra, but it has been Ecuador with all the chances.
23rd min: Messi has been pretty quiet so far. But we all know that it just takes one moment for him to rip the game apart.
22nd min: Argentina apply significant pressure to the Ecuador box but the underdogs defend resolutely and prevent any clear chances.
20th min: If you want to know more about Kendry Paez, this is everything you need to know with our profile piece on the Ecuador wonderkid.
19th min: Flurry of chances for Ecuador. They are really looking dangerous on the counter as Argentina push up. Valencia is holding the ball up well and being supported by Caicedo.
16th min: CHANCE, ECUADOR! Valencia brings the ball down out on the right, clips in the cross to an under-lapping Preciado, but the full-back can only touch the ball on to the roof of the net. Tough chance. The ball was behind him.
12th min: CHANCE, ECUADOR! Wow! Two huge opportunities for Ecuador. Quick feet from Sarmiento allows him a clear shot from a tight angle, but Emi Martinez blocks expertly. The ball comes out to Paez just outside the area, but he spears a shot over the crossbar.
11th min: Ecuador win the first corner of the game but it amounts to nothing. They do look dangerous. Particularly down the left where Caicedo is operating in an advanced position. He usually plays deeper for Chelsea.
9th min: Caicedo is down and getting treatment for Ecuador. Argentina have dominated possession early but Ecuador could have scored through Caicedo. They are looking for the counter-attack.
7th min: CHANCE, ECUADOR! Out of nowhere Caicedo finds himself through on goal. He bears down on Emi Martinez but pressure from behind means the shot is weak and straight into the keeper's arms. It was Valencia's header that set Caicedo through on goal.
6th min: Argentina have only lost two of their last 61 games in all competitions. It's going to be a tough task for Ecuador tonight!
3rd min: De Paul pokes the ball through for Lautaro, but Ecuador get back to scramble it clear before the attacker can get on the ball. Argentina looking dangerous early.
2nd min: Gonzalez wins it back from Ecuador. He plays the one-two and slips the ball to Lautaro at the top of the area, but the Inter forward gets the ball stuck under his feet.
1st min: Ecuador not pressing early on. They are sitting back and allowing Argentina to stroke the ball around the back.
Kickoff: We are off and running at NRG Stadium. Messi is undoubtedly the star for Argentina but keep an eye on 17-year-old Ecuadorian wonderkid Kendry Paez. He has been super impressive at this tournament.
5 mins before kickoff: Its definitely a capacity crowd here in Houston. National anthems are being played. We are only minutes away from kickoff.
10 mins before kickoff: Getting closer to kickoff here. Can favourites Argentina get through to the semis? Or will Ecuador cause a boilover?
30 mins before kickoff: Fans are starting to fill up NRG Stadium. Should be a capacity crowd.
50 mins before kickoff: ECUADOR STARTING XI
1 hour before kickoff: ARGENTINA STARTING XI
Messi starts for Argentina with Lautaro Martinez preferred to Julian Alvarez up front.
1 hour, 20min before kickoff: Team lineups are only 20 minutes away. Lionel Messi is expected to be named for Argentina.
1 hour, 40 min before kickoff: Tonight's match will be played at the NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas. It has a capacity crowd of 72,220.
2 hours before kickoff: It's quarterfinal time at the Copa America. Can Ecuador cause a shock and eliminate reigning champions Argentina?
Argentina vs. Ecuador kickoff time
This Copa America match kicks off from NRG Stadium on Thursday, July 4 at 8:00 p.m. local time in Houston, Texas, USA.
Here's how that time translates across some of the major territories around the globe:
| Date | Kickoff time | |
| USA/Canada | Thu, July 4 | 9 p.m. ET |
| USA/Canada | Thu, July 4 | 6 p.m. PT |
| UK | Fri, July 5 | 2 a.m. BST |
| Australia | Fri, July 5 | 11 a.m. AEST |
| India | Fri, July 5 | 6:30 a.m. IST |
Argentina vs. Ecuador lineups, team news, starting 11
The main talking point leading up to Argentina's Copa America quarterfinal against Ecuador will be talisman Lionel Messi's fitness. It was no great surprise to see the 37-year-old Inter Miami star sit out the clash with Peru after he required treatment in Argentina's second game against Chile. He even admitted after the match that he had felt "some discomfort" in his right hamstring.
The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner and 2022 World Cup champion took part in full practices this week and there's confidence that Messi will prove his fitness in time for the match in Houston.
Coach Lionel Scaloni also rested the likes of Alexis Mac Allister, Rodrigo De Paul and Julian Alvarez for Saturday's 2-0 win over Peru on Matchday 3, all of whom should return to the starting lineup for this game.
Angel Di Maria reclaimed his place in the starting 11 last time out, while Nicolas Tagliafico was the only defender to keep his spot, and Nahuel Molina, Cristian Romero and Lisandro Martinez should reunite with him in a back four here.
With four goals in this competition so far, including a brace against Peru, Inter Milan hitman Lautaro Martinez is set to spearhead the Argentina attack against Ecuador, flanked by Alvarez and Messi.
Argentina projected starting lineup (4-3-3, right to left): E. Martinez (GK) — Molina, Romero, Li. Martinez, Tagliafico — Di Maria, De Paul, Mac Allister — Messi, La. Martinez, Alvarez.
Argentina subs (max 15): Matchday squad released one hour prior to kickoff
After missing their previous encounter through suspension, Ecuador's all-time leading goalscorer Enner Valencia played the full 90 against Mexico, with John Yeboah making way. He will be the man up top to provide a difference as he looks to add to his 41-goal international tally against the world champions.
Kendry Paez is an attacking force from midfield for Ecuador. He is very positive with the ball and uses his electrifying burst of speed to get past defenders. Jeremy Sarmiento's athleticism makes him a problem for backlines, while Alan Minda is another exciting young impact player.
Defensive midfielder Moises Caicedo and defender Piero Hincapie create a strong spine for the team.
Ecuador projected starting lineup (4-2-3-1, right to left): Dominguez (GK) — Preciado, Torres, Pacho, Hincapie — Franco, M. Caicedo — Minda, Paez, Sarmiento — Valencia.
Ecuador subs (max 15): Matchday squad released one hour prior to kickoff
Argentina vs. Ecuador live stream, TV channel
| TV channel | Streaming | |
| USA | FOX, Univision, TUDN | Fubo, Fox Sports app/website, ViX, Univision Now, TUDN app/website |
| Canada | TSN 4, 5, RDS, CTV Two | TSN+, RDS App, CTV App |
| UK | Premier Sports 1 | Premier Sports Player |
| Australia | — | Optus Sport |
| India | — | — |
USA: Argentina vs. Ecuador from NRG Stadium will be televised in the United States on FOX, with a Spanish-language broadcast via Univision and TUDN. All three channels are available to stream on Fubo, with the latter offering a FREE seven-day trial.
Spanish language coverage is also available on streaming platform ViX.
UK: This match will be shown in the UK on Premier Sport Player's platforms.
Canada: All Copa America matches can be seen in Canada on TSN's respective TV channel and live streaming services. RDS provides French-language coverage.
Australia: Australia's sole broadcaster for the Copa America is Optus Sport.
India: Unfortunately, there has been no official confirmation of TV and live stream broadcasts of Copa America in India. Reports had suggested that FanCode and Sony were ready to take up broadcast rights for the tournament but, as yet, that has not been made official. So at the moment, there is no official platform in India on which viewers can stream or any channel on which the match will be broadcast.
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