Ratings from players like Emiliano Martinez save Lionel Messi and Argentina from shock upset

Argentina's unbeaten run continues at Copa America 2024 after Emiliano Martinez's extra heroics in the penalty shootout nobody saw coming.

Argentina became the first team to punch their ticket to the quarterfinals of Copa America 2024, finishing well on top of Group A with all nine points. Lionel Messi missed La Albiceleste's final game against Peru after picking up a minor groin injury in the previous game, but the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner recovered in time to start tonight alongside Lautaro Martinez. The striker started at the top after scoring four goals in the group stage.

How the game happened

The match started in the cage. Neither team enjoyed playing football for long and many mistakes disrupted the flow of the game in the first ten minutes. Ecuador settled first, however, testing Emiliano Martinez with two good chances created by the pace of Moises Caicedo. Disorganized provision prevented Argentina from getting anything in the final third; La Albiceleste didn't register their first goal until 27 minutes into the first half, and it wasn't even on target.

No matter how much Argentina started to fall apart, it only took a moment for Lionel Messi to strike. The captain found Alexis Mac Allister at close range with a well-taken corner, and the Liverpool midfielder slotted it past an unmarked Lisandro Martinez after a simple header to go 1-0 up in the 35th minute. As soon as La Albiceleste got on the score sheet, they dominated the rest of the half, maintaining good possession and controlling the tempo of the game before retreating to the dressing room.

Argentina seemed content to sit back and defend in the early stages of the second half, allowing Ecuador to get back into the game. La Tri's pressure paid off; they were awarded a penalty in the 62nd minute for handball against Rodrigo De Paul. Enner Valencia stepped up to take the penalty, sending Martinez the wrong way, but he hit the post, keeping Argentina's lead safe.

The final 30 minutes of the game took place without many notable moments or chances for either side. Argentina looked like they had won until the 91st minute. Nico Gonzalez went down in his own half, but Ecuador went ahead, taking a quick free kick. John Yeboah played a left-footed ball into the box that found Kevin Rodriguez's header for the equalizer late in the game.

Without overtime, the game went to penalties. Messi went up first and tried a panenka that hit the top of the post and went through the net. Emiliano Martinez stepped in for his captain, however, and saved Ecuador's first two penalties. Meanwhile, Julian Alvarez, Mac Allister, Gonzalo Montiel, and Nicolas Otamendi all buried penalties, sending Argentina to the semi-finals with a 4-2 penalty shootout victory.

GK: Emiliano Martínez – 9/10 – Martinez may have scored his first goal of the tournament, but the goalkeeper came up big in the penalty shootout, saving two of Ecuador's four shots.

RB: Nahuel Molina – 5/10 – Molina struggled alongside Moises Caicedo and failed to contribute to the attack.

CB: Cristian Romero – 6/10 – Romero came through for his team in the early stages of the game, making a last-gasp save to stop Ecuador.

CB: Lisandro Martínez – 7/10 – Martinez has been brilliant at the back in all competitions for Argentina, and the defender continued his excellent form against Ecuador, shutting down Enner Valencia. Martinez also scored his first goal for La Albiceleste.

LB: Nicolas Tagliafico – 5/10 – Tagliafico was almost gone this evening. The lefty tried to connect with Nico Gonzalez, but a sloppy touch brought him down.

RM: Rodrigo De Paul – 5/10 – De Paul conceded a penalty that could have put Ecuador back in the game. His lack of vision in the final third also contributed to Argentina's attack.

CM: Enzo Fernandez – 5/10 – Fernandez had a few scoring opportunities in the first half, but failed to make the most of them. Ultimately, the Chelsea man struggled to find his footing in midfield.

CM: Alexis McAllister – 8/10 – Mac Allister was Argentina's best midfielder tonight, always getting behind to win his team the ball, even putting his body on the line to do so. He also assisted Martinez's goal and scored a penalty.

LM: Nico Gonzalez – 5/10 – Gonzalez was the only real surprise in Lionel Scaloni's XI tonight, and the midfielder failed to impress. He had no chemistry with Tagliafico and it didn't work well.

CF: Lionel Messi – 5/10 – Messi recovered from his injury in time to start tonight, but the Inter Miami man struggled to find the ball for most of the game. His well played corner, led to Argentina's only goal, but then he missed Argentina's first penalty of the evening.

ST: Lautaro Martinez – 5/10 – After his electric performance in the group stage, Martinez didn't get anything tonight. He pressed Ecuador's backline well, but in the end, he failed to leave his mark on the game.

What you are holding

SUB: Julian Alvarez – 6/10 – Alvarez was on top form the moment he entered the pitch, and scored a crucial penalty after Messi's miss.

SUB: Giovanni Lo Celso – 5/10 – Lo Celso played only 12 minutes tonight, getting the usual fifth.

SUB: Nicolas Otamendi – 6/10 – Otamendi was brought on in the 78th minute to gain more height to defend Ecuador's crosses and long balls, but La Tri scored anyway. The defender scored the winner in the penalty shootout, however, which sent Argentina through to the semi-finals.

SUB: Gonzalo Montiel – N/A – Montiel entered in the 95th minute and scored a penalty in the penalty shootout.

The manager

Lionel Scaloni – 6/10 – Lionel Scaloni's side lacked momentum and creativity against Ecuador. Lautaro Martinez and Nico Gonzalez both started tonight, but they were pointless in the final third, lacking the quality that frontmen of Julian Alvarez, Lionel Messi, and Angel Di Maria almost always provide.

If Emiliano Martinez hadn't come up against La Albiceleste on penalties, Scaloni and his team could easily be out of the competition tonight.