At a time when Lionel Messi and Argentina were suffering like never before, the saving hands of Emiliano Martínez appeared again.
The goalkeeper saved twice in a penalty shootout — which started badly due to a missed shot by Messi — and defending champion Argentina advanced to the Copa America semifinals on Thursday with a 4-2 penalty victory over Ecuador.
“I was very angry for missing the penalty, but at the same time I was calm,” said Messi. “We know what ‘El Dibu’ is capable of, and he is really enjoying himself right now.”
Coach Lionel Scaloni also praised Martínez: “In penalty shoot-outs, the team has blind faith in their goalkeeper and that is fundamental for us. Even if Leo failed, the team knew that something positive was going to happen.”
Come on, Dibu, let’s dream together again! 🥅⚽🙌
👋 Good night, Albicelestes! pic.twitter.com/qWz4zdySRc
— 🇦🇷 Argentina National Team ⭐⭐⭐ (@Argentina) July 5, 2024
Ecuador forced penalties with Kevin Rodriguez’s goal in stoppage time and looked set to make a splash at NRG Stadium when Messi hit the crossbar to open the shootout — with no extra time remaining.
Notable in the World Cup final that Argentina won a year and a half ago in Qatar, the intimidating figure of “El Dibu” was fundamental in blocking Ecuador’s first two shots, kicked by Ángel Mena and Alan Minda.
“I wasn’t ready to go home,” Martinez said, his voice breaking. “Even though we are champions of America and the world, this group deserved to continue in the cup.”
The following Argentine strikers did not forgive: Julián Álvarez, Alexis Mac Allister, Gonzalo Montiel and Nicolás Otamendi. In the final shot, Otamendi nailed a whiplash cross with his right, just out of the reach of the Ecuadorian goalkeeper Alexander Domínguez.
“I shoot 500 times a day in training. I always keep myself in good shape,” said Martinez. “I try to be at my best for the national team. People deserve it because they spend their money to come and see us. I want to continue growing as a goalkeeper and as a person.”
Argentina will travel to New Jersey to play the semi-finals against the winner of the match between Venezuela and Canada, which will be played this Friday in Arlington, Texas.
But Scaloni’s team could easily have gone home on the day the United States celebrated its independence.
This was by far Argentina’s worst performance so far in the continental tournament, which it is trying to win for the 16th time.
“The team is there, regardless of whether the opponent subdues you. The team always reacts. Beyond being able to play well or badly, this is what football is about,” said Scaloni.
During regulation time, Ecuador had Messi and company on the ropes. Despite the suffering, the Argentines were close to taking the win earlier, thanks to a goal by Lisandro Martínez — his first with the national team — in the 35th minute.
The second half was a real ordeal for Argentina, who saw striker Enner Valencia miss a penalty in the 62nd minute that would have made it 1-1. After a handball by Rodrigo De Paul in the area was called, Ecuador’s all-time top scorer shot across the post when the “Dibu” had already lost on the other side.
The equaliser came in the third minute of stoppage time with a header from Rodríguez, which was validated after a lengthy analysis by the VAR.
Argentina surrendered to penalties and the indomitable personality of “El Dibu.”
But the team left worrying signs for what comes next, with its favoritism diminishing.
Recovered from a muscle injury in his right foot that prevented him from playing in the last match, Messi returned to the starting eleven. But the Argentine captain made very little of a difference, with little performance in his trips to the NRG Stadium.
The Argentine number 10 missed his penalty when he tried to chip the ball over Domínguez, bringing back memories of sad days with the national team before the recent succession of titles. But others came to the rescue, with “El Dibu” pointing the finger at him after saving the first penalty.
“I finished well,” Messi said of his physical condition. “There is always a bit of psychological fear of having an injury or discomfort, but at a muscular level I had nothing.”
After a long stretch in which Ecuador created the most dangerous situations, Argentina found the goal through a corner kick taken by Messi from the right. Mac Allister headed the ball towards the far post, where Lisandro appeared alone to head home.
The goal was an undeserved punishment for the Ecuadorian Tri, who had done enough to deserve the lead.
Argentina dominated possession but without creating any dangerous actions, suffering from the inaccuracies of their midfielders Enzo Fernández and Rodrigo De Paul.
Without having much possession of the ball, the vertical approach of Félix Sánchez Bas’s team in the midfield was enough to make the current world champions uncomfortable.
Argentina was saved at the quarter-hour mark when Jeremy Sarmiento and Kendry Páez wasted clear goals in the same Ecuadorian attack. In the first, Sarmiento made a feint inside the area and faced “El Dibu”, who providentially deflected the ball with his left foot. The rebound fell to Páez, who finished high.
Whether undeserved or not, Ecuador has seen two disastrous streaks extended. It has never been able to beat Argentina in the history of the Copa América, a total of 17 matches. And it has gone 23 years without beating a CONMEBOL rival.
“You have to believe in this group of players,” said Sánchez Bas. “We were drawn against the toughest opponent and we played a great game. The team has shown that it can compete against everyone, and then the result may or may not come.”
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