Copa America: Messi Misses Penalty But Argentina Advances to Semifinal

• Lionel Messi was mostly numb throughout Argentina's Copa America quarter-final match against Ecuador
• The Inter Miami talisman roofed his penalty during the shootout but was saved by Emiliano Martinez's magical saves
• Argentina has advanced to the semifinal of the competition and will face the winner of the Venezuela and Canada tie on Tuesday

Lionel Messi had a quiet night in Argentina's quarter-final game against Ecuador, as the Rosario-born, left-footed, accomplished footballer stylishly roofed the ball in the South American country's first penalty shootout kick.

The match ended in a tie after normal time, and as per Copa America rules, there will be no extra time, unlike in other parts of the world, where another 30-minute window will be available for the teams to see if there can be a winner.

Messi had just returned from an injury that had left him unfielded in La Albiceleste's last game in the group stage against Peru.

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Ecuador players leave no room for the Argentine to breathe. Anytime Messi receives the ball, he is immediately crowded by belligerent, hard-minded, focused Ecuadorians seeking to prevent him from wreaking havoc.

The father of three had the fewest of touches in the first half, 11, but he played a part in the defending champion's opening goal scored by Lisandro Martinez.

The victory was Argentina's until a late equaliser snuck in at the last minute of the tie. Ecuador's Valencia had earlier missed a penalty in the second half.

Argentina advances to semifinal

Martinez's two brave saves covered for Messi's lapses and booked a spot for the reigning world champion in the last four.

On Tuesday, Argentina will face either Venezuela or Canada in an anticipatedly fierce and gruelling faceoff for the semi final.

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"He [Messi] played like the rest of the team, we are a team. This is a team, if the team played well, he played well. We have never separated the individual from the collective," Scaloni said in his post-match news conference.

Ronaldo misses crucial penalty in Euro extra time

Legit.ng had earlier reported that Cristiano Ronaldo was seen in tears after missing a crucial penalty during extra time, leading to Portugal's elimination from the Euro Championship.

The missed penalty came during a high-stakes match that ended in a dramatic and almost emotional exit for Portugal.

Source: Legit.ng