Copa America

Despite Messi drama! Argentina in the semi-finals

Lionel Messi missed his penalty.(Bild: AP/ASSOCIATED PRESS)

Argentina has advanced to the semi-finals of the Copa América with a dramatic victory over Ecuador. The defending champions prevailed 4:2 on penalties in Houston. However, star striker Lionel Messi, who had to sit out the last group game against Peru due to a leg injury, missed the first penalty.

Manchester United's Lisandro Martínez scored with his head in the 35th minute for Lionel Scaloni's Albiceleste. Ecuador's Enner Valencia missed a penalty in the 61st minute, but Kevin Rodríguez equalized in the first minute of stoppage time.

Reigning South American and world champions Argentina had managed a perfect group stage without losing a point or conceding a goal. With 15 titles, Argentina are the record champions of the Copa América. With their defeat, however, the Ecuadorians continued their negative run at the Copa América.

A bitter streak continues
The Tricolor has not beaten a South American team at the tournament for 23 years. The team's only victories since 2001 have come against visiting teams from North and Central America and the Caribbean.

In the other quarter-final matches, Venezuela and Canada will meet on Friday, followed by Colombia and Panama on Saturday and then Brazil and Uruguay.

Felix Sanchez(Bild: AFP/APA/JUAN MABROMATA)

Ecuador's quarter-final exit also had personnel consequences. Felix Sanchez was relieved of his duties as national coach, as the Ecuadorian association announced. For the South Americans, the negative series at the Copa América continued. The Tricolor has not beaten a South American team at the tournament for 23 years. The team's only victories since 2001 have come against visiting teams from North and Central America and the Caribbean.