Emiliano Martínez saved two pemnalty kicks for Argentina in their win vs. Ecuador in the quarter finals of the Copa America.
Martínez was the penalty kick hero for Argentina vs. Colombia in the semi finals of the 2021 Copa America, the penalty kick hero for Argentina in the 2022 World Cup final vs. France and he was the penalty kick hero for Argentina vs. Ecuador in the quarter finals of the 2024 Copa America in the United States.
A first half which saw Argentina have much of the ball but Ecuador creating more chances. An initial chance was poked away by Cristian Romero and minutes later, a big kick saveg by Emiliano Martinez.
Argentina would get their first real chance of the first half off a corner kick. A cross in by Lionel Messi and a flick by Alexis Mac Allister found Lisandro Martinez who headed the ball to give Argentina the 1-0 lead.
The second half started with Ecuador creating many chances and winning a penalty kick. Valencia took the penalty kick but it hit the post and went out.
Lionel Scaloni brought Julián Álvarez, Nicolás Otamendi, Gio Lo Celso in for Lautaro Martínez, Lisandro Martínez and Enzo Fernández.
In stoppage time, Ecuador would cross the ball into the penalty area and they would score a header to draw level. Scaloni would bring in Gonzalo Montiel for Nahuel Molina.
The match would go to penalty kicks and it was Lionel Messi who took the first penalty for Argentina. He tried a panenka but it hit the crossbar and went out.
Emiliano Martinez would prove to be the penalty kick hero once more for Argentina. Angel Mena would take Ecuador’s first penalty kick and Emiliano Martinez went to his left, saving the first penalty.
Julian Alvarez was the second penalty kick taker for Argentina and he would perfectly place it into the corner of the goal to score the first penalty.
Martinez was once more the hero. Alan Minda would take Ecuador’s second penalty and he would save it to give Argentina the 1-0 lead.
Alexis Mac Allister would take the penalty and he would put it into the side of the goal and score. John Yeboah scored for Ecuador.
Gonzalo Montiel scored his penalty as he did against France in the World Cup final. Jordy Caicedo took his penalty for Ecuador and Emiliano Martinez went the right way and just missed saving it.
Nicolas Otamendi took the last penalty and rolled it into the corner and Argentina won on penalty kicks.
Argentina will play Canada or Venezuela on Tuesday in the semi finals of the 2024 Copa America.
LISANDRO MARTÍNEZ GOAL FOR ARGENTINA! 🇦🇷pic.twitter.com/F7fvn0WEE1
— Roy Nemer (@RoyNemer) July 5, 2024
EMILIANJO MARTINEZ WITH HIS FIRST OF TWO PENALTY KICK SAVES FOR ARGENTINA!pic.twitter.com/4pLMQKwTHU
— Roy Nemer (@RoyNemer) July 5, 2024
JULIAN ALVAREZ, UNSTOPPABLE PENALTY KICK FOR ARGENTINA!pic.twitter.com/LCKfAvxIgG
— Roy Nemer (@RoyNemer) July 5, 2024
EMILIANO MARTINEZ WITH HIS SECOND OF TWO PENALTY KICK SAVES FOR ARGENTINA!pic.twitter.com/Aj7o2rT3sB
— Roy Nemer (@RoyNemer) July 5, 2024
ALEXIS MAC ALLISTER SCORES HIS PENALTY KICK FOR ARGENTINA!pic.twitter.com/FgmYPC5hzs
— Roy Nemer (@RoyNemer) July 5, 2024
GONZALO MONTIEL SCORES HIS PENALTY LIKE AT THE WORLD CUP FOR ARGENTINA!pic.twitter.com/VgAUHR1mOB
— Roy Nemer (@RoyNemer) July 5, 2024
NICOLAS OTAMENDI SCORES THE PENALTY AND ARGENTINA WIN!pic.twitter.com/oClTQ8VTtb
— Roy Nemer (@RoyNemer) July 5, 2024
