Lionel Messi reveals Emiliano Martinez already predicted the Penalties before the match

During Argentina’s quarterfinal against Ecuador in Copa America the captain of Argentina Lionel Messi had a hard time as he missed the Panenka penalty which went wrong. In normal time the match ended in a draw as the score was 1-1 and were forced to the penalty shoot-out. Lionel Messi is struggling with injury but he managed to set the opening goal of the match as Lisandro Martinez scored the first goal of the match to give Argentina the lead.

During the second half of the game as the game went to stoppage time Kevin Rodrigo levelled the score as the game was forced to penalties. Meanwhile, from this year there is not going to be extra time. During the penalty shoot-out, Lionel Messi stepped to take the first penalty of that night but he failed to put the ball into the goalpost.

During the interaction with reports, Lionel Messi said that Emiliano Martinez knew that the match would end in penalties. Lionel Messi said, "Before the match, he was joking about the possibility of penalties and said he was going to save them. When we reach this stage, we have an advantage."

Emi Martinez hero for Argentina

Meanwhile, Argentina’s goalkeeper Emi Martinez saved the day for Argentina as he made two important saves and prevented his team from getting out of Copa America 2024. Emi Martinez is the hero for Argentina in penalties as he saved Argentina from getting defeated by France in the FIFA World Cup. Against Ecuador, he first saved the shot from Mena and the second shot from Alan Minda later Argentina took the lead in the shootout and won the match by 4-2. 

After getting Player of the Match Emi Martinez said, “I told the boys I wasn’t ready to go home. They weren’t either.” “We are champions of the world and of (South) America, this team deserved to go on,” as per Sportstar.  

As Argentina reaches another semi-final of Copa America, they will face the winner of Venezuela or Canada on 9^th July.