Messi’s performance against Ecuador.

After a 1-1 draw in 90 minutes, according to Copa America 2024 regulations, the two teams did not play extra time but decided the winner immediately by a penalty shootout.

Messi clasped his hands and looked up to the sky as if praying, after the referee tossed a coin to determine Argentina would kick first in the shootout.

Argentina captain striker holds the ball and takes the first shot.

This is the 13th time in his career, both at club and international level, that Messi has taken on this heavy responsibility every time his team takes a penalty shootout.

Faced with goalkeeper Alexander Domínguez, Messi took a Panelka-style kick. The Ecuadorian goalkeeper misjudged as he dived to his left, but the ball from Messi’s foot went lightly and hit the crossbar and out.

Messi held his head in regret. According to Transfermarkt , this is only the 32nd time since the beginning of his peak career that he has failed to successfully execute a penalty kick.

The last time Messi missed a penalty was in Argentina’s 2-0 win over Poland in the World Cup group stage on November 30, 2022.

Messi returned to the center circle, but stood apart from his teammates as they all anxiously looked towards the goal waiting for Ecuador’s first kick.

Not disappointing his teammates, Emiliano Martinez dived in the right direction, blocking the kick of Ecuador captain Angel Mena.

On his way back to his position waiting to catch the second ball, Martinez pointed to Messi, reassuring the captain.

In response, Messi also raised his hand as if to thank his teammate goalkeeper.

On the second pass, Martinez again guessed correctly, blocking Alan Minda’s kick.

Two successful saves from the goalkeeper wearing the number 23 shirt contributed to Argentina’s 4-2 victory, after all four remaining teammates – Julian Alvarez, Alexis MacAllister, Gonzalo Montiel and Nicolas Otamendi – completed their tasks.

Immediately after Otamendi scored the fifth goal, Martinez lay down on the ground to celebrate. At the same time, Messi ran over to thank his teammate.

The captain smiled with relief as he hugged Martinez.

“He was always there, and he shined at the moments when we needed him the most. Even when the team lost confidence the most in the penalty shootout, he always reassured us, calmed us down. Martinez is always like that,” Messi said in a quick post-match interview.

Messi has yet to score at the 2024 Copa America. He played the entire first match, providing an assist as Argentina beat Canada 2-0. In the second match, Messi had a hamstring problem, limping a few times and requiring a massage in the first half, but still played the rest of the match. He missed the final group stage match.

In the match against Ecuador, Messi did not contribute much to the team’s play. The opponent also played harshly, significantly blocking the space for the Argeninta captain to operate. In the photo is the moment Messi (left) clutched his thigh and rolled around after being fouled.

Messi only touched the ball 32 times in the entire match. According to Opta , this is M10’s worst statistic in a match with Argentina in official tournaments (qualifiers, World Cup finals, and Copa America) in which he played the full 90 minutes since Copa America 2011.

Messi did not dribble past anyone once, only created one chance for his teammates to shoot, and himself failed to score once despite a favorable situation.

The 37-year-old superstar also lost three out of five one-on-one challenges, before missing his team’s first penalty kick.