Copa America Takeaways: Argentina must refocus after Ecuador scare

While many Americans celebrated Independence Day on July 4, Thursday marked another important day for soccer fans across the country with the start of the 2024 Copa América knockouts.

Argentina, the World Cup champions advanced to the semifinals in dramatic fashion on a humid night in Houston. Against a feisty Ecuadorian side, La Albiceleste won on penalties and took the latest step in its search for a record 16th Copa crown.

Looking ahead, Lionel Scaloni’s squad will prepare to battle either Canada or Venezuela in the next round, with the decider kicking off Friday evening. But until Copa América action continues, read on to learn the key takeaways from Thursday’s quarterfinal.

THE RESULT

Argentina, 1 (4), Ecuador 1 (2) [penalties] in Houston: Match report

MAIN TALKING POINTS

“Si se puede”

Perhaps surprisingly, Ecuador began the match positively. While La Tri didn’t come out with a particularly high press, Félix Sánchez’s side started aggressive and undeterred by the occasion. Chelsea’s Moisés Caicedo had an early chance after he broke through Argentina's backline, but failed to produce a fruitful shot. Shortly after, Caicedo blasted up the left flank and combined with Jeremy Sarmiento in the box, who forced Emi Martínez to make a save. 

Lionel Messi and Co. looked uncomfortable in the opening 15 minutes, which Ecuador fans noticed. “Si se puede,” meaning “it’s possible,” rang throughout the stadium as La Tri stuck to its game plan of bravery and man-to-man positioning. However, Ecuador was unable to maintain momentum, as in the 35th-minute marking was lost and La Albiceleste broke the deadlock. While Sánchez’s men started valiantly, Argentina sucked the life out of Ecuador like a boa constrictor squeezing on its prey — slowly, surely and deadly. In other words, what champions do best.

But what’s exciting about soccer is that quite literally, anything can happen. You can be the top-ranked team in the world, have the most technical squad with a proficient manager, but still have a lapse in judgment. As if out of nowhere, Ecuador got a second wind, which resulted in a show-stopping equalizer in the final minutes. Despite losing on penalties, La Tri showed heart and demonstrated that with enough fight and belief, “si se puede.”

Stagnant Argentina must refocus

Omitting the first 15 minutes, La Albiceleste played typical Argentina ball. Scaloni’s side held most of the possession and closed down space as it opened. It wasn’t a strong attacking performance by any means, and Argentina seemed perfectly happy to “keep the zero” and guard its backline. The World Cup winners didn’t appear to care about aesthetics or scoring more, but waited Ecuador out instead.

Slowly frustrating and beating down its opponent is a classic Argentina tactic, but it’s tough to say if it's always a fruitful one. On one hand, when you have as much talent as the world No. 1 does, the plan seems fine on paper — and it has results to prove it. But on the other hand, what happens in fluke situations, like the magic Ecuador pulled off in added time? Argentina surely would have lost if Jordy Caicedo landed his sitter in 90+3, so wouldn’t you think having an insurance goal would ease Argentina’s nerves? Perhaps it just wasn’t La Albiceleste’s night offensively, but in the semifinals only having a one-goal buffer won’t cut it.

Lastly, we gotta talk about Messi. Every time he touched the ball (which was few and far between, we might add), crowds roared in appreciation of the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner. While he certainly is one of the best in the world, he looked stagnant on Thursday, only helping out when needed and missing the first penalty of the shootout. Of course his skill and technique was still noticeable, but it’s possible the 37-year-old hasn’t fully recovered from the muscle soreness that kept him out of Argentina’s final group game.

STAT OF THE DAY

Earlier in the competition, Messi broke the record for the most Copa América games played (36). On Thursday, the “GOAT” became the all-time leader in minutes played as well. Legendary.

“OMG” MOMENT OF THE DAY

In the 62nd minute, a Rodrigo De Paul hand ball gave Ecuador a penalty, but La Tri’s excitement was short-lived. As skipper Enner Valencia took the shot, his mishit ricocheted off the post. It was lucky for Argentina, as Martínez guessed the wrong way, but crummy for the 34-year-old who was already having a tough night.

WHOLESOME MOMENT OF THE DAY

During warmups, Lionel Messi was pictured waving and smiling to his three children, Thiago, Mateo and Ciro, and wife Antonela. Wholesome content at its finest.

THREE STARS OF THE DAY

1. Lisandro Martínez (Argentina): The 26-year-old scored his first-ever Argentina goal from a set piece in the 35th minute. The defender was ready at the back post to head the ball home and give La Albiceleste a first-half advantage.

2. Kevin Rodríguez (Ecuador): What a moment for the substitute! In the first minute of second-half injury time, the 24-year-old played hero as he sent the ball into the far corner. The equalizer was enough to send his team into a shootout.

3. Emi Martínez (Argentina): Save the best for last? The Argentina keeper came up clutch in penalties, making two big stops in a row to send his squad to the semifinals. Since becoming La Albiceleste’s first-choice goalie, the showman has won four straight shootouts.

LOOKING AHEAD

Friday is a big day for Canadian soccer fans as Les Rouges will play its first-ever Copa América quarterfinal. 

Canada will battle Venezuela at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT. Will Jesse Marsch’s side continue its surprising tournament run, or will it crumble under the pressure? Check out Sportsnet’s match preview to get ready for the game, and follow the action on Friday evening with our live blog.