Argentina beat Ecuador 4-2 to reach Copa semi-final

Argentina reached in Copa America semi-final beating Ecuador 4-2 on penalty kicks following a 1-1 draw at Houston’s NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas on Friday (July 5).

Messi put Argentina’s first penalty kick off the crossbar but goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez saved Ecuador’s first two attempts in the shootout and Nicolás Otamendi beat Alexander Domínguez with the winning kick.

Defending champion Argentina took the lead in the first half with Lisandro Martinez's goal. In the second half, Ecuador got a penalty but failed to use that. When the match was at the peak of excitement, Ecuador's Kevin Rodriguez equalized the match with a great goal at the end.

Earlier, it was already known that there will be no additional time in the quarter and semi-finals of Copa America this year. As a result, the match became a tiebreaker. Martinez once again showed his mastery.

Following today’s win, Argentina advanced to the semifinals for the fifth straight Copa America and will play Venezuela or Canada on Tuesday at East Rutherford, New Jersey.