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The Argentine team became the first semifinalist of the Copa Am�rica on Thursday after beating Ecuador 4-2 in the penalty shootout after drawing 1-1 in the 90 minutes in a disputed and tight match.
In the semifinal, which will be played on Tuesday at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, the current American and world champion will face the winner of the match between Venezuela and Canada that will be played on Friday.
On penalties, Juli�n �lvarez, Alexis Mac Allister, Gonzalo Montiel and Nicol�s Otamendi scored for Argentina, while star Lionel Messi missed the first shot of the shootout.
Goalkeeper Emiliano Mart�nez took shots from �ngel Mena and Alan Minda, while John Yeboah and Jordy Caicedo converted for Ecuador.
The 90 minutes were no Argentina's best
In the match played at the NRG stadium in Houston, Texas, Ecuador made Argentina uncomfortable in the first minutes with passes behind their defenders for the speed of Jeremy Sarmiento and the mobility of captain Enner Valencia.
Even when Argentina got a goal to take the lead after a header from Lisandro Mart�nez in the 35th minute, Enner Valencia missed a penalty that could have tied the match, but it in the final minute of stoppage time that Ecuador ended up getting the equalizer after Kevin Rodr�guez got a goal. Things were not smooth for Argentina and they know it.
"They made it a lot difficult for us, we couldn't play very well, they played a great game, very physical. We knew they were going to be one of the toughest rivals in the Cup. They tied us at the end and we missed the first penalty, and it was wrong for us. uphill," "Dibu" Mart�nez said after the game.
"I told the guys that I wasn't ready to go home, this group deserved to continue." Now it's time to rest and regroup before another complicated matchup they will have to face next week.