Emiliano Martínez saved two Lionel Messi penalties to save his blushes as Argentina advanced to the semi-final of Copa America.
Argentina was again left to thank Emiliano Martinez when they saw off Ecuador 4-2 on penalties to book a place in the Copa America 2024 semi-final on Friday morning.
Argentina, who had not yet let in a goal in their three group games, then had to thank Martinez as he saved from Raul Viera 10 minutes later.
However, Lionel Scaloni’s side grew into the contest and then took the lead after 35 minutes.
A Lionel Messi corner was flicked on by Alexis Mac Allister with Lisandro Martinez on hand to head home from the far post to give Argentina the score and his first international goal.
The defending champions led by 1-0 at half time, something for which they had never lost before in the tournament.
Ecuador was awarded a penalty in the earlier part of the second half when VAR captured a handball by an Argentine player.
But veteran forward Enner Valencia, sent off in this tournament, wheeled and scuffed his effort on to the post in scalding a great chance to get back into the contest.
Ecuador kept pushing for it and sensationally levelled in injury time through Kevin Rodriguez as the quarter-final was pushed to penalty shootout .
Messi missed the first one, while Emiliano Martinez saved the first two from Ecuador.
After Messi missed, Argentina never let the moment faze them as Nicolas Otamendi converted the winning penalty to keep the holders in the tournament.
Martinez was the again hero for his country at the shoot-out, and now the 31-year-old won all four of these that he’s been involved in with Argentina, having just nine of the 18 spot-kicks faced successfully converted.
Argentina will face the winner of Venezuela and Canada in the Semi-Finals that shall be on July 10th.