At NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas, on July 4, 2024, during the CONMEBOL Copa America 2024 quarterfinal match between Argentina and Ecuador, Martinez of Argentina celebrates stopping the first penalty in the penalty shootout. (Image courtesy of Getty Images/Logan Riely)) Argentina dominated the first ninety minutes of Thursday night’s play. At this 2024 Copa América, the defending champions of everything had not let up a goal for more than 360 minutes.

However, just after 10 p.m. in Houston, they were about to lose, having been taken out by Ecuador and losing in a penalty shootout when Lionel Messi missed, until goalie Emi Martínez turned things around. 

Argentina led throughout the majority of a close game, but they were never in control. Ecuador then equalised in second-half stoppage time, shocking the 70,000 spectators at NRG Stadium and forcing a penalty kick to end the match.

Messi took a long, solitary stroll from midfield to the penalty spot in the shootout before chipping it straight down the middle of the goal, off the crossbar, and onto the top of the net.

But Martinez, the hero of previous penalty shootouts and the 2022 World Cup final, answered with a forceful stop on Ecuador’s first try. 

Messi thanked Martinez by pumping his first towards him while standing arm in arm with teammate Cristian Romero.

Following Argentina’s second attempt to score through Julian Álvarez, Martinez made yet another incredible save by diving to his right with a big left hand. He turned to dance in front of the happy crowd. 

Argentina then took a 2-0 lead thanks to Alexis Mac Allister. Ecuador tied the score at two goals. However, Gonzalo Montiel, who scored the game-winning goal in Qatar, maintained his composure to give Argentina a dominating 3-1 lead. 

And Nicolas Otamendi’s goal after Ecuador scored once more set off jubilant celebrations.