Argentina advanced to the Copa America final after defeating Colombia 3-2 in a shootout on Wednesday. Argentina won the semi-final tie after goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez saved three penalties shoot-out spot-kicks. Argentina advanced to the final as Lionel Messi, Leandro Paredes, and Lautaro Martinez all scored from the penalty spot. Colombia will face Peru in the third-place playoff on Friday.
Argentina had taken the lead after just six minutes of play when Martinez scored. With a through pass, Rodrigo de Paul found Messi in the penalty box. With a pass to Lautaro Martinez, the star got his fifth assist of the tournament, putting the ball past Colombia goalkeeper David Ospina in the right corner. Luis Diaz, though, equalised for Colombia in the second half, receiving the ball on the left of Argentina’s box and shooting practically straight at Martinez.
In the shootout, goalkeeper Martinez saved shots from Davinson Sanchez, Yerry Mina, and Edwin Cardona. Messi, on the other hand, scored from the spot and appeared to be the most ecstatic participant in the celebrations.
Watch the FULL PENALTY SHOOTOUT (HD) 👇🏾 🇦🇷Argentina🆚Colombia🇨🇴
🇨🇴Colombia ☑️ ❌ ❌ ☑️ ❌
🇦🇷Argentina ☑️ ❌ ☑️ ☑️#ARGCOL #CopaAmerica #CopaAmerica2021 Messi / Neymar pic.twitter.com/N3zvD0pAzw
— Jezel (@nickjezel) July 7, 2021
Martinez, who was in tears after the game, stated he wants to play the Brazilians in the Maracana Stadium in the final. “It is a great team, the favourite. But we have a great coach, we have the best player in the world and we will try to win it,” he said.
Argentina hasn’t won a major title since winning Copa America in 1993. Argentina will now meet hosts Brazil in the final on Saturday at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, as Messi pursues his first major trophy. In Monday’s first semi-final, the incumbent champions defeated Peru 1-0.