Copa America: Lionel Messi Set Unwanted Record As Argentina Reached Semi-Finals

• Lionel Messi had his worst outing for Argentina in over a decade as they defeated Ecuador to reach the Copa America semi-finals
• Messi returned to the Argentina starting XI after missing their final group game after battling with a hamstring injury
• Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez made two saves for the reigning champions in the shootout as La Albiceleste won 4-2 on penalties

Lionel Messi was not the hero for Argentina as Lionel Scaloni’s men had to dig deep against Ecuador to secure another semi-final spot in the competition.

The 37-year-old was declared fit and was put back in La Albiceleste’s starting XI after missing their final group game, but the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner struggled to impress in the quarter-final tie.

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According to BEIN Sports, Messi’s corner was flicked on by Alexis Mac Allister for Lisandro Martinez to score with a header to give Argentina a 1-0 lead but Kevin Rodriguez scored a stoppage-time equaliser for Ecuador to force the shootout.

The Inter Miami forward was the first to step up in the penalty shoot-out but saw his panenka attempt hit the crossbar, but his blushes was saved by his teammates.

Argentina goalkeeper Emi Martinez saved Ecuador's first two spot-kicks before Nicolas Otamendi scored the decisive penalty to send the defending champions into the semi-final with a 4-2 penalty victory.

Messi sets unwanted Argentina record

Meanwhile, Messi had his lowest influence in a game for Argentina in over 13 years after struggling throughout the Copa America clash against Ecuador on Thursday, June 4.

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner had 32 ball touches against Ecuador, his fewest in a competitive game in which he played 90 minutes for Argentina (World Cup, Qualifiers, and Copa America) since 2011.

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Argentines will hope Messi will be back to his best when the Copa America defending champions play either Venezuela or Canada in the semi-finals.

Lionel Messi misses Panenka penalty

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Messi missed Argentina's first penalty kick in a dramatic Copa America 2024 quarter-final clash against Ecuador.

The match on July 5 was decided by a shootout following a late equaliser by Ecuador's Kevin Rodriguez.

Argentina initially took the lead in the 35th minute when Lisandro Martinez headed in a perfectly placed corner from Messi, assisted by Mac Allister's flick.