Argentina fought to a penalty shootout to beat Ecuador after a 1-1 draw in regular time in the Copa America quarter-finals football on Friday morning, Thailand time.
At the NRG Stadium, Argentina will rest the main players who have rested from the previous game. Including Lionel Messi, Rodrigo de Paul, Lisandro Martinez and Alexis Mac Allister. Ecuador will have Moises Caicedo, Jeremy Sarmiento and Enner Valencia as the main players.UFABET
Ecuador opened with no weakness and almost scored in the 15th minute. When Heremi Sarmiento shot in the penalty area but Emiliano Martinez saved it.
In the 27th minute, Argentina came up with an attack. Naoul Molina crossed from the right into the middle. Enzo Fernandez headed the ball just wide of the post.
In the 35th minute, it was the “Sky Blues” who took the lead from a corner kick on the right. Lionel Messi crossed to the near post. Alexis Mac Allister headed the ball past the far post. And Lisandro Martinez was the only one to follow up with a close-range header to make it 1-0 before the end of the first half.
In the second half, in the 61st minute.
Ecuador was awarded a penalty after Rodrigo de Paul’s handball. After a VAR check, Enner Valencia took the penalty but unfortunately hit the post.
The ‘Albiceleste’ got their spirits back after a slow second half in the 68th minute. When Lionel Messi got the ball in the penalty area and fired a shot that was saved by Alexander Dominguez.
The game looked like it was going to end with Argentina winning. But in stoppage time, Ecuador equalized through a combination of two substitutes. Jon Yeboa crossed into the penalty area and Gavin Rodriguez headed the ball into the net. Weir was initially called offside. But it was a goal and the game ended in a 1-1 draw, requiring a penalty shootout. Argentina, with better accuracy, won 4-2 and advanced to the semi-finals to meet the winner between Venezuela and Canada.