In what was a tense penalty shootout, Lionel Messi took the first shot but his audacious Panenka attempt resulted in the ball hitting the crossbar, leaving the 70,000-capacity crowd in stunned silence.
The World Champions, featuring players like Julián Álvarez, Alexis Mac Allister, and Gonzalo Montiel, managed to convert their penalties successfully. Nicolás Otamendi sealed the victory for la Albiceleste with a shot to the bottom corner, securing their spot in the semifinals. They are now set to face either Canada or Venezuela at MetLife Stadium on Tuesday.
It is worth noting that Emiliano Martínez has a flawless record in penalty shootouts, winning all six he has participated in throughout his senior career.
For more updates on the Copa America, check out our predictions for the quarterfinal match between Canada and Venezuela. And don’t miss out on our key takeaways from the Netherlands’ recent victory over Romania.
