Emiliano Martínez spoke about what he told the team before their penalty shoot out vs. Ecuador.
Martínez was once more the penalty shootout hero for the Argentina national team. After saving three penalty kicks vs. Colombia at the 2021 Copa America, not allowing two vs. France in the World Cup final and saving two against Ecuador, the Argentina national team are in the semi finals of the 2024 Copa America. Martínez spoke to the media after the match. Here is what he had to say:
“I told the guys that I was not ready to go home. Even more so that we are World champions and Copa America champions, this group deserves to continue. It has been 35 days that we are enclosed with everyone and it’s emotional.”
The Argentina national team will play either Canada or Venezuela in the semi finals on Tuesday in New Jersey.
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 and Nicolâs González will start for Argentina against Ecuador.
Argentina national team coach Lionel Scaloni will make changes to the team which won 2-0 vs. Peru. According to Gastón Edul, both Lisandro Martínez and Nicolâs González will be starting for Argentina against Ecuador on Thursday.
Martínez did not play against Peru and Nicolâs González was substituted into the match.
Lionel Messi is set to start for Argentina vs. Ecuador at the Copa America.
Messi could be starting for Argentina. According to Gastón Edul, Messi will be in the starting eleven for Lionel Scaloni’s team against Ecuador on Thursday.
Lionel Scaloni, who was suspended for Argentina’s 2-0 win vs. Peru, rested Messi for that match. The Argentina national team will play Ecuador in their quarter final match in Houston.
