Copa América: Lyon's Tagliafico features as Argentina beat Ecuador on penalties
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Current World Cup champions Argentina managed to advance to the semi-finals of the Copa América after beating Ecuador (4-2) in a penalty shootout following a 1-1 draw in Texas. It was a game that surprisingly saw former Paris Saint-Germain man Lionel Messi miss Argentina's first effort in the shootout, but unsurprisingly Emi Martinez emerged the hero of the tie after saving two of Ecuador's penalty efforts. Olympique Lyonnais defender Nicolas Tagliafico featured in the full 90 for La Albiceleste.
Inter Milan's Lisandro Martinez put Argentina in front on the 35th minute before Ecuador's Kevin Rodriguez managed to equalise in dramatic fashion right at the death in injury time at the end of the second period. La Tri earlier passed up a golden opportunity to equalise, when striker Enner Valencia hit the post from the penalty spot following a handball offence by Rodrigo De Paul.
Argentina emerge once again victorious amid spot-kick chaos
Emiliano Martinez, who foiled both France in the 2022 FIFA World Cup final and LOSC Lille in last year's UEFA Europa Conference League, was once again the hero for his nation. The Aston Villa goalkeeper saved efforts from Angel Mena and Alan Minda in the shootout.
Argentina would then convert spot kicks from Julian Alvarez and Alexis Mac Allister to put themselves in the lead, then scoring through Nicolas Otamendi with the final penalty to seal the deal for the defending Copa champions.
