Match 25 - Argentina 1-1 Ecuador
Argentina come through a close fought Quarter-Final against a hard fighting Ecuador team and, for the fifth consecutive Copa América, reach the Semi-Final stage.
The teams traded blows and shots and Ecuador had the first major chance but Emi Martinez saved Jeremy Sarmiento's strike. Then, on 35 minutes, Mac Allister flicked the ball to Lisandro Martínez and he headed home.
Ecuador had an opportunity to go level on the hour mark when a shot deflected onto Rodrigo De Paul's hand and a penalty was awarded. Martinez was sent the wrong way but the ball hit the post and rebound was blocked.
Ecuador seemed to lose a bit of cohesion for a while and it appeared their record of never beating Argentina in the Copa would continue. But, with the game in stoppage time, John Yeboah whipped in a cross and Kevin Rodriguez headed the ball home.
With no extra-time the match went to penalties and Emi Martinez saved two, which saved the blushes of Messi who hit the crossbar with Argentina's first attempt.
| Match Number | Teams | 1st Half Score | 2nd Half Score | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 | Argentina v Ecuador | 1-0 | 0-1 | 1-1 |
| Total Matchday Goals | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Total Tournament Goals | 22 | 33 | 55 |
Tomorrow's matches is:
Venezuela v Canada
text by stuartcturnbull art by CONMEBOL & altered by stuartcturnbull