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Lionel Messi returned from injury to lead Argentina to a dramatic penalty shootout win over Ecuador in the Copa América quarterfinals. Despite Messi’s presence, it was goalkeeper Emiliano “Dibu” Martínez who emerged as the hero with two critical saves, ensuring Argentina’s advance to the semifinals. The match, held on America’s Independence Day, saw Argentina struggle in the first half but regain control after Lisandro Martínez scored from a corner.
Ecuador pushed hard, even earning a late penalty which they failed to convert, thanks to Martínez’s crucial saves. Kevin Rodríguez equalized for Ecuador in stoppage time, leading to a tense penalty shootout. Messi, who missed his panenka attempt, watched as Martínez secured Argentina’s victory with pivotal stops.
Manager Lionel Scaloni may have concerns regarding Argentina’s defensive vulnerabilities, but they move forward to face the winner of the Venezuela and Canada match. Martínez’s performance, featuring prominently, underscores his growing importance to the team, arguably overshadowing Messi in this critical match-up.
