Argentina 1-1 Ecuador: Player ratings as Lionel Messi is saved by teammates in Albiceleste's penalty shootout win in Copa America 2024 QF

Lionel Messi needed help from his Argentina teammates to beat a stubborn Ecuador side on penalty shootouts in the quarter-finals of the 2024 Copa America on Thursday (July 4). The reigning World Cup winners were far from their best, but were lucky from the spot and managed to reach the semi-finals.

Both teams were evenly matched in a game of few goalscoring opportunities, but the Albiceleste had the experience to take the day. Lisandro Martinez opened the scoring 10 minutes from halftime and it looked like Argentina would secure another win and clean sheet. Kevin Rodriguez had other plans and scored a goal late in stoppage time (90+1') to take the game to penalties, where Emiliano Martinez was the hero.

Argentina player ratings

Emiliano Martinez - 8.5/10

The Argentine keeper had a fine game and was the star of the penalty shootout, saving two kicks to help the Albiceleste reach the semi-finals of Copa America.

Nahuel Molina - 8/10

The Atletico Madrid star had a great game for his country. He completed 77 percent of his passes (24/31) before being taken off for Gonzalo Montiel in the 90th minute.

Cristian Romero - 8/10

The Tottenham star had another decent game at Copa America for Argentina, completing 94 percent of his passes (63/67). His fantastic clean-sheet run in the competition sadly ended in this game.

Lisandro Martinez - 8/10

The Manchester United defender had a brilliant game for his country at Copa America and capped his fine display with a 35th-minute goal. He completed all his 45 passes before he was taken off for Nicolas Otamendi in the 78th minute.

Nicolas Tagliafico - 6.5/10

The Olympique Lyon defender had a decent game for his country. He completed 93 percent of his passes (26/28) and played all 90 minutes of football.

Alexis Mac Allister - 8/10

The Liverpool star had a fine game against Ecuador, assisting the first goal and scoring his penalty to double Argentina's lead in the penalty shootout.

Enzo Fernandez - 6/10

The Chelsea midfielder was not impressive for his country on Thursday. He completed 58 percent of his passes (14/24), made no tackles, and was hooked for Giovani Lo Celso in the 78th minute.

Nicolas Gonzalez - 6/10

The Fiorentina midfielder had an unremarkable game for the World Cup winners. He completed 74 percent of his passes (14/19) but barely did anything of note in the game.

Rodrigo De Paul - 6/10

The Atletico Madrid midfielder had one of his poorest games at Copa America. He was anonymous for swathes of the game and only popped up to concede a penalty for a handball that was mercifully missed by Enner Valencia in the 60th minute.

Lautaro Martinez - 6/10

The competition's leading goal-scorer had his first anonymous display in the tournament and failed to extend his goal-scoring run at Copa America in this game. He was taken off for Julian Alvarez after 65 minutes.

Lionel Messi - 6/10

The legendary forward had a disappointing game for Argentina and nearly cost his nation their semi-final berth at Copa America when he missed his penalty in the shootout. His blushes were spared by his teammates who stepped up and salvaged the shootout.

Argentina Substitutes

Julian Alvarez - 6/10

Julian Alvarez was fairly unimpressive after coming on for Lautaro Martinez, but converted his penalty to give Argentina the lead in the penalty shootout.

Nicolas Otamendi - 6/10

Otamendi came on for Lisandro Martinez in the 78th minute and saw Argentina concede a late goal. He stepped up to convert his penalty and saw his country through to the semi-finals of Copa America.

Giovani Lo Celso - 6/10

Lo Celso came on for Enzo Fernandez in the 78th minute and had a quiet game. He barely influenced proceedings and completed four out of seven passes.

Gonzalo Montiel - NA

Montiel came in the 90th minute and saw the game out. The defender did not have time to affect the game but converted his penalty to see Argentina take a step closer to the next stage of Copa America.