Argentina did not play like the 2024 Copa America champions tonight. They hardly played like the winners of their quarter-final against Ecuador. It looked good on paper, but Argentina was lucky to escape with a 1-0 draw. They were outplayed in the fight, the passing, the intensity, the technique.
But, of course, it will be a typical Scaloni victory: the patient build-up, dominant ball possession and compact defence that have helped them win the 2021 Copa America, the 2022 World Cup and perhaps the 2024 Copa America title.
But it wasn't to be. Kevin Rodriguez headed in John Yeboah's cross into the bottom left corner and scored one of the most memorable goals of the tournament. Ecuador forced a penalty with minutes to go and almost missed out on victory with seconds remaining after two dangerous counterattacks.
And then it happened again. Emiliano Martinez was as good as ever in the shootout. The Aston Villa goalkeeper saved two of Ecuador's four penalties and even had a sexy celebration while he was there. Nicolas Otamendi sealed the shootout with a dominant performance. He smashed the penalty into the top left corner and celebrated with the supporters in spectacular style. This isn't a refereeing dispute or a ridiculously small pitch, this is the Copa America.
Before the match, there was even doubt whether Lionel Messi, Argentina's most important piece in their quest to defend the Copa America title, would play. Messi missed Argentina's 2-0 win over Peru on Saturday, and manager Lionel Scaloni said before kick-off that he was monitoring the talismanic playmaker's availability on a day-to-day basis.
Still, despite being far from fully fit, Messi returned to the starting line-up alongside an all-star group of elite players. Featuring Lautaro Martinez, Julián Álvarez and Enzo Fernández, the line-up faced an Ecuador side that was expected to make a strong run at the tournament. Ecuador struggled in a friendly in June, narrowly winning 1-0. Having dominated Jamaica and troubled CONCACAF powerhouse Mexico, Ecuador looked like a formidable opponent in the knockout stages.
Argentina and Ecuador are neck and neck
Surprisingly, it was Ecuador who took the lead. Moises Caicedo played a through ball to Brighton midfielder Jeremy Sarmiento, who then dribbled past a dizzy Cristian Romero and found himself facing goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, who was able to keep the ball out and level the score.
The game was faster and more physical, with more chances than you'd expect the first half to end in goals. Kendry Paez and Angelo Preciado both sent shots over the bar in quick succession, and Enzo Fernández fired back after a counter-attacking shot was heroically blocked by promising defender Willian Pacho. With players stacking cards, waving arms, pointing fingers and shoving one another, the first half galvanized towards a furious end.
Argentina took the lead in the 35th minute from a Messi set-piece. It was typical Argentine play: Messi's swerving, in-swinging corner kick hit the head of midfielder Alexis Mac Allister, who flicked the ball just far enough for Lisandro Martinez, lurking behind the post, to easily score. The game then came into full swing, with a cynical Ecuador suddenly on the offensive.
Ecuador were the better team overall, using the talent of players on both flanks to attack directly, but Argentina had the advantage and, even if they didn't perform convincingly, they didn't look like they were going to relinquish their hard-won advantage anytime soon.
But suddenly, just 15 minutes after the break, the tide turned. Caicedo's inswinging shot hit the head of Alan Franco, whose shot flew into the hands of Rodrigo De Paul. Franco turned to block the shot but was stretched out just enough to get it out. Unlucky, but that couldn't be helped.
Despite the fury and tactics of Martinez, De Paul and many others, the referee stood firm. Enel Valencia, the 34-year-old who had stunned the world with his World Cup performance just two years earlier, tilted his head, took a deep breath and began his run-up.
He hits the ball to Martinez. completely Go in the wrong direction and you will fail.
He makes a mistake.
Martinez himself couldn't believe his own heart, leaping to his feet to confirm his goal and celebrate in front of the ecstatic Argentina fans, while Valencia was left internally cursing and lamenting his bad luck, all the while pining for an unseen force.
Throughout the match, Ecuador, rather than Argentina, surprisingly seemed to be the stronger team. While Argentina sat back, played cynical and wasted time, Ecuador seemed to create more chances on the night. Ecuador in particular looked solid down the right wing with Chelsea targets Paez and Preciado.
They brought in players on both flanks, trying to overwhelm the Argentine defence, creating space everywhere, and to an extent it worked: Ecuador was frustrated and didn't score, but most of their chances came from the flanks.
Yet Ecuador came close to equalizing on multiple occasions. Despite the time-wasters and controversial fouls, Ecuador repeatedly made Martinez suffer. Angel Mena and Jordi Caicedo failed to convert some clear-cut chances. Ecuador moved the ball beautifully and created several chances, but lacked the decisiveness to convert them.
Then, again, the unthinkable happened. With a final chance to tie the game and send it to a penalty shootout, John Yeboah smashed a final cross into the box and Kevin Rodriguez burst from the 18-metre line, leapt into the air and curled a brilliant header past his marker, beating Martinez and bouncing just wide into the right-hand corner.
Wild celebrations begin: beer is thrown, dark blue confetti falls, and manager Néstor Lourenzo leaps for air before embracing backstage staff. After a lengthy VAR check, the officials ruled all was well and the goal was legitimate. After three chaotic minutes of back-and-forth play, the game finally went to penalties.
Argentina wins thrilling penalty shootout
The first penalty was taken by Lionel Messi, who was having a quiet night and struggling to get involved in the goal, using a neat Panenka to fool goalkeeper Alexander Dominguez but unfortunately his shot hit the crossbar, bringing an end to a frustrating evening.
Mena then took a penalty kick, but Martinez made an incredible save, keeping the shootout at 0-0. Alvarez scored the first penalty of the shootout. Dominguez guessed the right way, but Alvarez's shot was too high and wide. Alvarez, clearly relieved and optimistic, ran off in joy.
Mac Allister took the penalty after Alan Minda's shot was blocked and Martinez delivered a hip thrust. Dominguez guessed wrong, but even if he did dive the right way, Mac Allister's penalty was spot on. He smashed the ball into the bottom right corner. Chef's kiss.
Colombia's John Yeboah smashed a shot into the top right corner to completely defy Martinez, but Argentina's Gonzalo Montiel defied Dominiguez, who playfully celebrated as Ecuador needed a goal, a save and a goal in each of their next three matches.
After Jordi Caicedo narrowly beat Martinez to score the penalty, Argentina veteran Nicolas Otamendi came on to give the visitors some insight into the match. He stumbled and limped to take the penalty and slotted it neatly into the bottom left corner. No chance for Dominiguez!
The Houston crowd cheered louder than they did for Martinez's opener and Rodriguez's equalizer, and although Ecuador was playing better and nearly won, Argentina kept the tempo in their typical style and celebrated the win.
With the win over Ecuador, Argentina will face either Venezuela or Canada in the semifinals. Ecuador's next match is against Brazil in a World Cup qualifier in September.
Photo: Imago
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