Argentina faced Ecuador in a really challenging game. Lisandro Martinez shone, so Messi and his friends led first half.
Ecuador missed a penalty, although in the second half they did not lose their enthusiasm. Ecuador then equaled 1-1 in the first minute of additional time in the second half.
Argentina struggled right from the first kick in the penalty shootout as Messi missed the crossbar. Later, “El Pulga” appeared to be upset. However, custodian Martinez, the “Albicelestes” penalty specialist, really shone when he made two saves, therefore helping Argentina to win 4-2.
Messi’s lament following a missed penalty kick
Apart from missing a penalty kick, Messi left not much of an impact on this game. Not in the ideal physical shape seemed to have stopped the 1987 born attacker from performing explosively against Ecuador.
That is no more an issue, though, since Argentina still holds a ticket to the next round. Messi also made history today by ranking first among all players in Copa America history in terms of minutes played.
Regarding “spider man” Martinez, he marked his ninth penalty save in Argentina’s shirt following 24 times under attack. Martinez has clearly a really high success rate. Ecuadorian players are most likely mentally disturbed as they know how famous this custodian is at 11m.
Messi is mistaken; Martinez corrects him.
Turning now to the round of four top teams, Argentina will square off Venezuela’s winner against Canada.