Argentina welcomed the return of captain Lionel Messi after sitting out the match against Peru due to injury. La Albiceleste is predicted to easily win against Ecuador in the opening match of the quarterfinals of the Copa America when in terms of confrontation history, Messi and his teammates have never lost to Ecuador at the Copa America and have only lost 5 out of a total of 40 matches. encounters in every arena. However, what happened on the field was completely opposite to the predictions of most fans.

As the superior team, Argentina entered the game proactively and deployed an offensive stance right from the opening whistle. Meanwhile, Ecuador also showed that they are a very annoying opponent with high pressing and sharp counter-attacks, threatening goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez’s goal.

Lisandro Martinez celebrates the opening goal. Photo: GETTY

After pressing the opponent’s goal many times, Argentina scored the opening goal. In the 35th minute, from Messi’s corner, Mac Allister headed the ball to Lisandro Martinez. The Manchester United midfielder did not miss the opportunity to open the scoring for La Albiceleste.

With the opening goal, Argentina played even more excitedly as they continuously created opportunities. In the 41st minute, Ecuador’s midfielder Pacho lost the ball, creating conditions for Argentina to have a dangerous attack. However, Enzo Fernandez unfortunately missed the opportunity to double the gap.

In the second half, Argentina proactively slowed down and gave the game to Ecuador. This seems to be the mistake of the defending Copa America 2021 champions when they let their opponents control the match and have dangerous attacks towards Emiliano Martinez’s goal.

Valencia missed the chance to equalize for Ecuador. Photo: GETTY

In the 60th minute, Ecuador had a cross from the left wing that touched Rodrygo De Paul’s hand in Argentina’s penalty area and the referee immediately pointed to the penalty spot for Ecuador. On the penalty spot, Enner Valencia deceived goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, but the ball found the far post.

Having escaped defeat before the penalty kick, Argentina seemed to wake up and actively control the match. In the 67th minute, Messi had the first shot in the match, but the 37-year-old superstar’s right foot kick could not beat the Ecuadorian goalkeeper. The remaining minutes of the second half witnessed the referee’s “carding” when there were consecutive fierce collisions between players from both teams.

Suddenly, in the first minute of injury time of the second half, Ecuador scored a 1-1 equalizer. A cross from the right wing to striker Rodriguez surprised the Argentinian defense and saw the ball go into their net. Martinez. After a long period of consulting VAR, the referee decided to recognize the equalizing goal for Ecuador.

Messi missed the penalty shootout and continued his thirst for goals in this year’s tournament. Photo: GETTY

According to the tournament’s regulations, matches in the knock-out round, except for the final match, will immediately be determined by a penalty shootout after there is a draw. After drawing 1-1 for 90 minutes, the two teams entered a tense penalty shootout to qualify for the semi-finals.

Messi was responsible for taking the first kick for Argentina. He performed a panenka-style kick that fooled the Ecuadorian goalkeeper, but unfortunately the ball hit the edge of the crossbar and went out.

Messi regrets after missing the penalty shootout. PHOTO: GETTY

Fortunately, goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez’s charm in penalty shootouts appeared at the right time when he blocked 2 shots from Ecuador, along with the accuracy of other players helped Argentina win 4 -2 on penalties, thereby officially entering the Copa America semi-finals.