On July 7, Beijing time, the Copa America semifinals played one more game, Argentina against Colombia. The two sides drew 1-1 in the customary time.
Lionel Messi (1987-), Argentine footballer
Assisted by Lautaro, Luis Díaz equalized for Colombia and the game went into a penalty shootout. In the penalty shootout, Argentina's goalkeeper Martinez played well, and he saved the opponent's penalty kicks 3 times, becoming the biggest contributor to the team's win.
In this game, the Argentine team is in a very smooth situation, which is a dream situation. In the 7th minute of the match, Lo Celso passed straight to
Lionel Messi (1987-), Argentine footballer
A cross from the right side of the penalty area was pushed home by Lautaro's right-footed shot from the center of the field to help Argentina take a 1-0 lead. Lautaro breaks through in three consecutive matches.
Lionel Messi (1987-), Argentine footballer
Chalked up his fifth assist of this Copa America.
After taking the lead, Argentina's kicking style was slightly more reserved, giving Colombia quite a few chances to attack. Especially in the second half, the Colombian successive transfers, and soon received the effect. In the 61st minute of the match, Cardona sent a free kick from the center of the field, Luis Díaz tripped over Pezelia on the left side of the penalty area, and then rubbed his right foot to the far corner of the zero-degree angle of the shot, helping Colombia equalize the score.
Later on, Argentina also had a chance to score when Di Maria picked out a pass to Lautaro after getting past the goalkeeper. Rautaro faced an open goal and his shot was blocked by the opposing defender with his foot. In the end, the two sides went into a brutal penalty shootout. At this point, the real protagonist of the Argentine team stood out, and he was the goalkeeper Martinez.
Colombia became the side to take the penalty first when the side was chosen for the penalty kick, which means they have a better chance of advancing. Earlier, Barcelona center back Gerard Piqué then said, "
European cup (e.g. soccer)
It's no coincidence that all four penalty shootouts in the Copa America and the Copa America have been won by the side that took the penalty first. The data suggests that the side that takes the first penalty has more to pick from, and I thought it would be unfair to start the draw as an underdog in a competition like this."
However, on the Argentine goal line stood Martinez, who became the one to defy the odds. Among the four Colombian penalty takers, in addition to Cuadrado and Borja putting the ball into the net, the penalties of D. Sanchez, Mina, and Cardona were all pounced on by Martinez. With Martinez's excellent play, Argentina finally eliminated Colombia on penalties, breaking into the Copa America final.
Argentina's final opponent was hosts Brazil. Earlier, after advancing to the final, Brazil
Neymar
had said after the match, "I expect to play Argentina in the final because there are many of my friends in the opposing team." Now that Brazil is actually meeting Argentina in the final, it's
Lionel Messi (1987-), Argentine footballer
together with
Neymar
First meeting in the final of a national team competition!
