Lionel Messi misses penalty as Argentina advances to Copa America semis after dramatic penalty shootout

Argentina advances to semifinals of Copa America after a stunning goal in stoppage time for Ecuador led to a dramatic penalty shootout.

Ecuador’s Kevin Rodriguez was brilliantly set up by John Yeboah to nail the header from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner to take the game to a 1-1 contest in the 91st minute.

There is no extra time in Copa America knockouts until the final, so the match went penalty kicks. While Lionel Messi broke the all-time record for Copa America minutes played, he missed a crucial goal for Argentina in the penalty shootout when his kick headed straight for the crossbar and over.

Messi Penalty shot

Argentina would answer by hitting four of their next four penalties through Julián Álvarez, Mac Allister, Gonzalo Montiel and Gonzalo Montiel to seal the win and secure a spot in the semis. Ecuador missed two of their four attempts.

The match was extremely physical throughout, but it was Argentina that was more relentless in their pursuit of victory and secured a spot in the semifinals at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas.