Copa America 2024

Argentina beat Ecuador on penalties to make the 2024 Copa America semifinals

Lionel Messi missed his shot as he tried a Panenka but Emiliano Martinez stepped up to send Argentina to the 2024 Copa America semifinals after a dramatic penalty shootout against Ecuador.

By Martín O’donnell

Updated on July 05, 2024 10:05AM EDT

**© Omar Vega/Getty Images**Emiliano Martinez and Lisandro Martinez of Argentina react after a missed penalty from Ecuador during the CONMEBOL Copa America 2024 quarter-final match between Argentina and Ecuador at NRG Stadium on July 04, 2024 in Houston, Texas.

By Martín O’donnell

Argentina are through to the 2024 Copa America semifinals! Even though Lionel Messi missed the first shot of the series, La Albiceleste managed to top Ecuador on penalties thanks to Emiliano Martinez to keep their title defense alive.

It was a hard-fought game at NRG Stadium, with the reigning champions leading for much of the game thanks to Lisandro Martinez’s first-half goal. But a late equalizer by Kevin Rodriguez added some drama to the night in Houston.

Dibu Martinez stole the show in the shootout by making two crucial saves, with the rest of Argentina‘s penalty takers scoring their shots for a 4-2 victory. Now, the defending champions will take on Canada or Venezuela on July 9 in New Jersey.

11:13PM

Argentina advance to Copa America semis!

Argentina have punched the ticket to the 2024 Copa America semifinals with a dramatic penalty shootout win over Ecuador in Houston, and you lived every moment with us, here, on Bolavip.

Their next game will be against Canada or Venezuela on July 9 at MetLife Stadium.

11:09PM

OTAMENDI SCORES!

Argentina win the series 4-2!

11:08PM

MONTIEL SCORES

Argentina have match point as Gonzalo Montiel makes it 3-1.

11:08PM

CAICEDO SCORES

Jordy Caicedo scores.

Argentina 3-2 Ecuador.

11:07PM

YEBOAH SCORES

Now it's Argentina 2-1 Ecuador.

11:06PM

ALEXIS SCORES

Mac Alister scores.

Argentina 2-0 Ecuador.

11:05PM

DIBU SAVES AGAIN!

Martinez blocks the second shot and goes 2/2!

Argentina 2-0 Ecuador.

11:04PM

DIBU SAVES!

Dibu Martinez blocks Mina's shot!

11:04PM

JULIAN SCORES!

Julian Alvarez scores. Now Argentina are 2-0.

11:03PM

MESSI MISSES

Messi chips the ball and it hits the post.

10:57PM

FULL TIME: PENALTIES IN HOUSTON! (1-1)

Argentina and Ecuador finish level after regular time, so the winner will be decided on penalties!

10:54PM

VAR confirms the goal

After VAR review, the goal stands. It looks like Argentina and Ecuador are going to penalties.

10:50PM

90+1' - ECUADOR SCORE! (1-1)

A dramatic equalizer from Kevin Rodriguez in stoppage time!

10:49PM

90' - Argentina leading! (1-0)

Seven more minutes will be played at NRG Stadium.

10:46PM

87' - Another substitution in Ecuador (1-0)

Jordy Caicedo comes on for Alan Franco.

10:41PM

81' - Yellow card in Argentina (1-0)

Tagliafico gets booked.

10:37PM

78' - More substitutions in Argentina (1-0)

Lisandro Martinez leaves the field to make room for Nicolas Otamendi, whereas Giovani Lo Celso replaces Enzo Fernandez.

10:36PM

77' - Argentina still leading (1-0)

Argentina are looking for the second but without getting distracted at the back.

10:27PM

67' - Messi almost scores! (1-0)

Leo's effort with his weak foot was saved by Dominguez.

10:24PM

64' - Substitution in Argentina (1-0)

Julian Alvarez comes on for Lautaro Martinez.

10:21PM

61' - VALENCIA MISSES (1-0)

Enner Valencia's shot hits the post so Argentina continue leading!

10:19PM

59' - PENALTY FOR ECUADOR (1-0)

The ball touched De Paul's arm.

10:14PM

54' - Ecuador looking to bounce back (1-0)

Ecuador came back from the dressing room with an aggressive mindset.

10:05PM

45' - SECOND HALF UNDERWAY! (1-0)

Argentina are leading 1-0 in Houston.

09:49PM

HALFTIME (1-0)

Thanks to Lisandro Martinez's goal, Argentina are leading Ecuador 1-0 at the break.

09:46PM

Reminder: Who will Argentina play next?

In the event Argentina win tonight, they will play Canada or Venezuela in the semifinals.

Tonight's winner will punch a ticket to the 2024 Copa America semi that will be held on Tuesday, July 9, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

09:42PM

40' - Argentina taking control (1-0)

The opener allows Argentina to play with more confidence, while Ecuador have yet to recover from the blow that means conceding first.

09:37PM

35' - ARGENTINA SCORE (1-0)

Lisandro Martinez gives Argentina the lead with a header!

Dominguez seemed to clear the ball, but it had already crossed the goal line.

Messi clearly deserves credit for this goal as his cross was perfect.

09:35PM

Reminder: What's the tiebreaker?

If Argentina and Ecuador tie, the winner will be decided on penalties.

In the 2024 Copa America, extra time will only come into play, if necessary, in the grand final.

09:31PM

29' - First yellow card in Ecuador! (0-0)

Enner Valencia gets booked for a foul on Alexis Mac Alister.

09:29PM

27' - First big chance for Argentina! (0-0)

Enzo Fernandez's header goes just wide.

09:24PM

21' - Messi's first action (0-0)

The Inter Miami star gave a glimpse of his talent with a great pass for Nicolas Gonzalez, but Ecuador's defense managed to hold it.

09:18PM

16' - Ecuador once again! (0-0)

Preciado with the third clear chance for Ecuador in Houston, but the game remains goalless.

09:17PM

14' - Dibu saves Argentina! (0-0)

With his left foot, the Aston Villa keeper denied Sarmiento in a close-range effort.

This is Dibu Martinez's 43rd cap with Argentina, matching 1990 World Cup runner-up Sergio Goycochea.

09:14PM

12' - Ecuador turn up their game (0-0)

It's a hard-fought match in Houston as La Tri are making Argentina uncomfortable.

09:09PM

6' - Martinez responds! (0-0)

Romero almost scores an own goal but Dibu Martinez caught the ball.

09:07PM

5' - Argentina looking for control (0-0)

The defending champs are trying to own possession early in the game, with Ecuador waiting for an opportunity to counter.

09:01PM

0' - GAME ON! (0-0)

The game is underway at NRG Stadium! Argentina and Ecuador are already looking for a place in the 2024 Copa America semifinals in Houston.

08:54PM

The teams take the field!

With child mascots, Argentina and Ecuador walk out to the field to prepare for the national anthems.

Kick-off draws nearer!

08:50PM

Warm up done!

The teams are back on the dressing rooms as they prepare for kick-off!

08:40PM

What happens if Argentina and Ecuador tie?

One of the biggest questions fans will probably make is what happens if Argentina and Ecuador tie tonight.

In the 2024 Copa America quarterfinals and semis, the tiebreaker is a penalty shootout. Therefore, if Argentina and Ecuador finish level after regular time, the winner will be decided on penalties.

Extra time will only come into play, if necessary, in the grand final. The 2024 Copa America decider will be held on Sunday, July 14, at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida.

08:35PM

Who will Argentina or Ecuador play in the semifinals?

The winner of this match will set up a meeting against Canada or Venezuela in the 2024 Copa America semifinals on Tuesday, July 9, at 8:00 PM (ET) at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

Canada and Venezuela clash in the quarterfinals on Friday, July 5, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington,

08:25PM

Both teams warming up

Both Argentina and Ecuador are already performing warm up drills at the NRG Stadium as they get ready for this huge 2024 Copa America quarterfinal.

Kick-off in almost 30 minutes!

08:18PM

How do Argentina and Ecuador arrive in this game?

The defending champions have made it to the 2024 Copa America quarterfinals as Group A leaders, winning all three group stage games.

Argentina beat Canada in the opening match before Lautaro Martinez secured a late win over Chile, with the Inter Milan star extending his prolific form with a brace to defeat Peru on Matchday 3.

Ecuador, on the other hand, arrive in this stage with plenty of questions to answer. Felix Sanchez Bas' men lacked consistency in Group B, where they only finished second due to goal difference.

After losing to Venezuela 2-1 in their debut, La Tri defeated Jamaica 3-1 before a goalless draw against Mexico to secure the second spot and therefore a ticket to this quarterfinal.

08:04PM

Argentina vs Ecuador: Head-to-head

This will be the 41st meeting between these teams. Argentina gain the upper hand in the all-time series against Ecuador with 24 wins, 11 draws and five losses.

La Albiceleste is riding on a seven-game winless streak against La Tri, with six wins and one draw.

Their most recent game took place not long ago, with Argentina claiming a friendly win over Ecuador in Chicago in June.

07:54PM

Ecuador's lineup vs Argentina

Shortly after Lionel Scaloni's team was leaked, Ecuador confirmed the lineup to play Argentina in Houston.

Here's La Tri's starting eleven: Alexander Domínguez; Angelo Preciado, Felix Torres, Willian Pacho, Piero Hincapié; Carlos Grueso, Moises Caicedo, Alan Franco, Jeremy Sarmiento, Kendry Paez; Enner Valencia.

07:48PM

Tonight's stage

The NRG Stadium will host tonight's match between Argentina and Ecuador.

This venue, which opened in 2002 and is home to the Houston Texans of the NFL, boasts a 72,200 capacity.

It has already hosted two Copa America matches this year (Mexico 1-0 Jamaica and Colombia 2-1 Paraguay), but it's preparing for an even bigger event.

The NRG Stadium will be one of the 2026 World Cup venues, hosting five group stage matches and two knockout phase fixtures (round of 32 and round of 16).

A general view inside the stadium prior to the CONMEBOL Copa America 2024 Group D match between Colombia and Paraguay at NRG Stadium on June 24, 2024 in Houston, Texas.

07:35PM

Tonight's referee

The entire refereeing team for tonight's 2024 Copa America quarterfinal between Argentina and Ecuador will be Uruguayan, with ref Andrés Matonte joined by fellow countrymen Nicolás Tarán and Martín Soppi as his assistants.

Leodán Gonzalez will be in charge of VAR, joined by Richard Trinidad and Christian Ferreyra.

Referee: Andrés Matonte (Uruguay)
Assistant 1: Nicolás Tarán (Uruguay)
Assistant 2: Martín Soppi (Uruguay)
4th referee: Gustavo Tejera (Uruguay)
5th referee: Pablo Llarena (Uruguay)
VAR: Leodán Gonzalez (Uruguay)
AVAR: Richard Trinidad (Uruguay)
AVAR 2: Christian Ferreyra (Uruguay)

07:20PM

Is Leo Messi playing tonight?

Unsurprisingly, one of the biggest questions fans make is whether Lionel Messi will play for Argentina vs Ecuador tonight.

Fortunately, the Inter Miami star will not only suit up, but Messi is also expected to start for La Albiceleste. According to Argentine national team insider Gaston Edul of TyC Sports, Leo will play from the get-go,

Argentina's starting eleven vs Ecuador: Emiliano Martinez; Nahuel Molina, Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martinez, Nicolas Tagliafico; Rodrigo de Paul, Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernandez, Nicolas Gonzalez; Lionel Messi, Lautaro Martinez.

07:12PM

Kick-off time and how to watch

The first game of the 2024 Copa America quarterfinals will kick off at 9:00 PM (ET).

There are many options to watch Argentina - Ecuador in the US: ViX Premium, Fubo, Fox Network, TUDN USA, and Univision.

07:00PM

Argentina and Ecuador clash in 2024 Copa America quarterfinals

Welcome to our live blog of Argentina - Ecuador!

The 2024 Copa America quarterfinals get underway in Houston today, with Lionel Messi and company battling it out against La Tri for a place in the final four.

Here, you can follow the game live. From now on, we'll bring you everything you need to know about this game, so stay with us!

Martín O’donnell

Martin O'Donnell is a bilingual sports writer fluent in English and Spanish, with a Bachelor’s degree in Communications. Since joining Bolavip in February 2021, he has extensively covered soccer, NFL, and NBA, specializing in real-time coverage of major events such as the World Cup, UEFA Champions League finals, and the Super Bowl. Martin’s prior experience includes managing social media for the CONMEBOL Libertadores and Sudamericana in English and reporting on Brazilian football for Sambafoot. At Bolavip, he is known for his meticulous coverage during critical sports seasons—covering trades, playoffs, and finals—and for keeping a close eye on soccer icons Lionel Messi at Inter Miami and Cristiano Ronaldo at Al-Nassr. His attention to detail and ability to capture breaking news have made him a valuable asset to the team.

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