Janice R. Andrews
Argentina dominated the first ninety minutes of Thursday night’s match. At the 2024 Copa América, the reigning champions of everything had gone over 360 minutes without conceding a goal. But shortly after 10 p.m. in Houston, they were on the verge of elimination after being taken aback by Ecuador and losing in a penalty shootout after Lionel Messi failed to convert his penalty attempt. Enter goalie Emiliano Martínez, who secured Argentina’s semifinal spot by saving the day.
Argentina led 1-0 for the majority of a close game but was never in control. Ecuador tied the score in stoppage time of the second half, shocking the 70,000 spectators at NRG Stadium and forcing a penalty kick.
Messi took a long, solitary stroll from midfield to the penalty spot in the shootout before chipping it straight down the middle of the goal, off the crossbar, and onto the top of the net. Nevertheless, Martínez, the MVP of the 2022 World Cup and arguably the world’s best penalty taker, answered with a forceful save on Ecuador’s opening try. Messi pumped his first towards Martínez, arm in arm with teammate Cristian Romero, as if to express relief by saying “thank you.”
Following Julián Álvarez’s goal to put Argentina ahead in the penalty shootout, Martínez made yet another outstanding save by diving to his right and deflecting the ball with his enormous left hand. Famed for his antics and flair, Martínez leaped off the grass, turned to the supporters behind the goal, and danced. It seemed as though Ecuador had lost all hope at that point. Suddenly, La Albiceleste’s magic was back. Their lead was doubled by Alexis Mac Allister.
Ecuador would score the following two penalties, but Argentina took a dominating 3-1 lead thanks to a composed Gonzalo Montiel, who scored the game-winning goal in Qatar 19 months ago. Argentina advanced to the semifinals, where they will take on the victor of Friday’s Canada-Venezuela encounter thanks to Nicolás Otamendi’s penalty kick.
Argentina were destined for the semifinals for the majority of Thursday night. They never did seem particularly nice, though. Martínez made a sprawling save early in the first half to maintain their multi-game scoreless streak. In the end, Argentina scored with its very first attempt on goal. At the near post, Mac Allister met a Messi corner and flicked it towards the far post, where Lisandro Martínez was waiting shrewdly to nod it home.
Most of the night saw an unusually quiet Argentine onslaught. Messi wasn’t his normal self, having recovered from an injury he sustained against Chile nine days prior. Ecuador was awarded a penalty fifteen minutes into the second half, but Enner Valencia sent Emi Martínez the wrong way and rolled it off the post.
But the underdogs stood their ground against the reigning champions, and in stoppage time, they eventually earned an equaliser. They nearly stunned Argentina with a second goal a few minutes later. The free but careless header from Jordy Caicedo went wide.
As with other Copa América knockout-round games before the final if tied, the quarterfinal did not proceed to extra time and instead proceeded to penalties. Argentina had one enormous, unwavering, 6-foot-5 advantage in the shootout: “Dibu,” the late-blooming goalie who gave Messi the opportunity to take the world by storm on December 18, 2022, and who repeated identical feats on Thursday night.
Though his cunning plan may not have succeeded, his stature and natural abilities completely destroyed Ecuador and saved Argentina from certain doom. Messi lifted his right fist again as Otamendi completed the victory. Soon enough, the Argentines were back to singing and dancing.
Emiliano Martínez’s performance demonstrated his ability and ability to persevere under duress. He showed everyone on Thursday night why he is regarded as one of the greatest goalkeepers in the world with his exploits. Argentina knows they have a strong last line of defence in Martínez, so with their spot in the semifinals assured, they now turn their attention to the next obstacle.
This thrilling triumph serves as a reminder of the unpredictability of football and the value of tenacity. Argentina prevailed because of Emiliano Martínez’s genius, even if Ecuador presented a formidable opponent. With the intention of winning the trophy once more, the defending champions will continue their quest at the 2024 Copa América.
