Aston Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez came to Argentina’s rescure yet again as the World champions secured their place in the Copa America semi-finals with a 4-2 penalty shootout victory over Ecuador. After a 1-1 draw in regular time, the match headed straight to penalties. Argentina faced a shaky start when captain Lionel Messi’s chipped attempt
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Aston Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez came to Argentina’s rescure yet again as the World champions secured their place in the Copa America semi-finals with a 4-2 penalty shootout victory over Ecuador.
After a 1-1 draw in regular time, the match headed straight to penalties. Argentina faced a shaky start when captain Lionel Messi’s chipped attempt struck the crossbar.
However, Ecuador couldn’t capitalize on the opportunity, with Martinez saving their first two spot kicks from Angel Mena and Alan Minda.
Julian Alvarez and Liverpool’s Alexis Mac Allister successfully converted their penalties for Argentina. Former Manchester City defender Nicolas Otamendi then stepped up to score the winning penalty after John Yeboah had briefly revived Ecuador’s hopes.
Ecuador forced the match into penalties with an injury-time equaliser, as Kevin Rodriguez headed an in-swinging cross past Martinez.
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Earlier in the first half, Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez had given Argentina the lead by heading home from close range following a corner.
The World Cup holders had an unconvincing performance in Houston. Ecuador missed a significant opportunity to level the score in the second half when captain Enner Valencia hit the post from the penalty spot after Rodrigo De Paul was penalised for handball. Emi Martinez, who taunted the Ecuador fans following his penalty saves, turned to a largely Argentine crowd in Houston, celebrating Valencia’s miss with pumped fists.
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.
The post Martinez saves Argentina despite Messi penalty miss against Ecuador first appeared on 3News.
