Argentina Vs Ecuador Copa America 2024 Quarter Final: Lionel Messi's 'Panenka' Attempt Goes Unlucky, 'Dibu' Martinez's Penalty Shootout Heroics Seal Semis Berth — WATCH

Argentina Vs Ecuador: It was a tough outing for reigning champions, as they seal their berth into semi finals amidst a missed penalty from Lionel Messi. Here are the details. WATCH.

Emi Martinez once again proved his worth by saving Argentina in the penalty shoot-out against Ecuador (Image Credit: @copaamerica_ENG / X)

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Argentina Vs Ecuador: Argentina have successfully secured their berth in the semi-finals of the Copa America 2024 after La Albiceleste earned a decisive victory over Ecuador in the penalty shootout. For the majority of the match, it was Argentina who dominated the proceedings right from the word go, as they opened the scoring via Lisandro Martinez, as he headed in a cross from Alexis Mac Allister.

However, the second half had a whole different story as Ecuador earned themselves a penalty, which was eventually saved by Emi Martinez in the 62nd minute, as veteran Enner Valencia squandered a golden opportunity.

Houston, we've got a semifinalist 🚀 pic.twitter.com/b9IZgtO3ZA

— CONMEBOL Copa América™️ ENG (@copaamerica_ENG) July 5, 2024

However, the talking point of the match was the penalty miss from Lionel Messi, as his sensational 'panenka' penalty just hit the crossbar and resulted in Argentina missing their first spot kick in the penalty shoot-out.

Here is the clip of Lionel Messi's missed penalty against Ecuador on Friday:

pic.twitter.com/fkPzu44PaI

— Messi World Media (@M10GOATMedia) July 5, 2024

 

Emi Martinez' Penalty Shoot-out Heroics Seal Copa America 2024 Semi-Final Berth For Argentina 

Just when Argentina assume that they are all but out, a certain 'Dibu' steps up and save the day for La Albiceleste. It happened again on Friday, as two crucial saves in the penalty shoot-out from Emi Martinez ensured that Argentina progress into the semi-finals. Lionel Scaloni's men won 4-2, as apart from Lionel Messi's miss, every other spot kick was thumped in by Argentina via Julian Alvarez, Alexis Mac Allister, Gonzalo Montiel, and Nicolas Otamendi.

DIBU 🛑 pic.twitter.com/tywya7SJHh

— CONMEBOL Copa América™️ ENG (@copaamerica_ENG) July 5, 2024

El reino del Dibu Martínez 🕺 pic.twitter.com/z2wYHtxEYq

— CONMEBOL Copa América™️ (@CopaAmerica) July 5, 2024

With his heroics, Emi Martinez has earned himself an astounding record, one for the history and record books, as he now averages a penalty save every 2nd attempt, a ratio which is highly rare and can go down in history as one of the most unique records ever.

Emi Martínez's penalty record is just INSANE 🧤 pic.twitter.com/T1shHDRWAO

— 433 (@433) July 5, 2024