HOUSTON, Texas -- On America's Independence Day, Lionel Messi and Argentina wanted to set off the fireworks for their fans with a quarterfinal win but once again, just like the 2022 World Cup final, it was their goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez, who took the role of hero as his two massive saves helped his team beat Ecuador in a dramatic penalty shootout, securing a place in the semifinals of the Copa América on Thursday night.
After missing Argentina's final group stage match against Perú due to a muscle injury, Messi returned to the starting lineup and led the defending World Cup and Copa América champions to a win over their South American rivals in a physical game in Houston.