Footage shows Lionel Messi consoled by Ecuador goalkeeper in classy gesture after penalty miss
Lionel Messi was left red-faced in Argentina's Copa America quarter-final shootout victory over Ecuador after missing his Panenka attempt.
Following a 1-1 draw in normal time, the game went to penalties, with the 37-year-old deciding to go first to set the tone for his teammates.
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But he chipped his spot-kick against the crossbar - sparking memories of his missed penalty in the 2016 final defeat.
The Argentina skipper looked devastated as his effort bounced off the woodwork and onto the top of the of the net, resulting in him walking away - burying his face in his hand.
Instead of looking to rub salt in Messi's wounds after his cheeky attempt backfired, Ecuador goalkeeper Alexander Dominguez showed his class.
He was quick to console the Inter Miami forward, where he gave him a hug, appeared to kiss him, before giving him a pat on his head for good measure.
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Thankfully for Messi, his blushes were spared by Aston Villa shot-stopper Emiliano Martinez, who once again proved to be Argentina's hero.
Just like Portugal's Diogo Costa who bailed out Cristiano Ronaldo for his missed penalty against Slovenia at Euro 2024, Martinez came up trumps in the shootout.
He saved twice from 12 yards out, with Argentina going on to win 4-2 to set up a semi-final tie against either Canada or Venezuela.
And what has become customary for the ex-Arsenal man, he celebrated his penalty saves with a dance towards his adoring fans in the stands.
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It was then Martinez to showcase his class, as he then consoled the devastated Dominguez rather than join his teammates in their celebrations.
Speaking after the shootout victory, he said: "I wasn’t ready to go home. This team deserved to advance. They complicated us a lot.
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"They played a great match, very physical. We knew they were one of the top rivals in Copa America.”
Martinez has gained a reputation as being a penalty saving specialist having saved Argentina's bacon a handful of times in recent years.
He saved three of Colombia's spot-kicks in the semi-final of the Copa America in 2021, which Argentina went on to win.
That was in addition to already denying Chile's Arturo Vidal in a group stage match earlier in the tournament.
The 31-year-old then kept out two of the Netherlands' efforts in the 2022 World Cup quarter-final, before saving Kingsley Coman's effort in the final shootout win over France.
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