Argentina survives penalty scare to reach Copa America semis

by

Emi
Martinez
saved
two
penalties
in
the
shootout

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Argentina
edged
past
Ecuador
4-2
on
penalties
after
a
dramatic
1-1
draw
to
secure
a
spot
in
the
Copa
America
semi-finals.

Despite
a
shaky
start
with
Lionel
Messi
missing
his
penalty,
Argentina’s
goalkeeper
Emiliano
Martinez
emerged
as
the
hero,
saving
two
crucial
spot-kicks.
Goals
from
Julian
Alvarez,
Alexis
Mac
Allister,
and
Nicolas
Otamendi
sealed
the
win.

Ecuador
fought
valiantly,
forcing
the
shootout
with
a
last-gasp
equaliser
from
Kevin
Rodriguez.
They
also
missed
a
penalty
through
Enner
Valencia
in
regular
time.

This
defeat
led
to
the
departure
of
Ecuador’s
manager,
Felix
Sanchez,
despite
his
remaining
contract.
Argentina
now
awaits
the
winner
of
the
Canada
vs.
Venezuela
clash
in
the
next
round.