In a thrilling quarterfinal match at NRG Stadium in Houston, Argentina narrowly escaped a major upset by defeating Ecuador 4-2 in a penalty shootout to secure their place in the semifinals of Copa America 2024. The match, which ended in a 1-1 draw after two halves, proved to be a rollercoaster of emotions for both teams and their fans.

Argentina's goalkeeper, Emiliano Martínez, played a pivotal role in the shootout, making two crucial saves to deny Ecuador an early advantage. Julian Alvarez and Alexis Mac Allister then stepped up to give Argentina the lead. Gonzalo Montiel and Nicolas Otamendi sealed the victory for their side with successful penalty kicks.

"I wasn't ready to go home," expressed Martínez after the game. "This team deserved to advance. They complicated us a lot. They played a great match, very physical. We knew they were one of the top rivals in Copa America."

The match took a dramatic turn in stoppage time when Kevin Rodriguez headed a ball into the box, equalizing the game at 1-1 and giving Ecuador a glimmer of hope. It was a surreal moment as Argentina had dominated most of the game and had not conceded a goal in the tournament for over 360 minutes.

Earlier in the match, Ecuador came close to scoring the tying goal when Enner Valencia took a penalty kick in the 62nd minute. However, his shot hit the post and failed to find the back of the net. Moments later, a header by Jordy Caicedo went wide, denying Ecuador a potential game-winner.

The penalty shootout took yet another twist when Argentina's star player, Lionel Messi, was the first to take a shot. However, his attempt hit the crossbar and went over the net, surprising the audience at NRG Stadium. Fortunately for Argentina, Martínez's heroics and the contributions of the team's forwards ensured their advancement in the tournament.

Despite concerns about Messi's fitness, he not only started the game but also played a crucial role in Argentina's opening goal, as his corner kick was flicked by Mac Allister to Lisandro Martínez for the score in the 35th minute.

"We asked him how he was feeling for the last time four minutes before the end," said Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni, emphasizing Messi's determination and impact on the match.

With this victory, Argentina now sets its sights on the semifinals, scheduled to take place next week at MetLife Stadium. As the tournament progresses, the intensity and drama of Copa America 2024 continue to captivate football fans worldwide.