Lionel Messi’s Argentina will face Brazil in the Copa America final after overcoming Colombia in a penalty shootout thanks to Emiliano Martinez.
With no extra time, penalties were needed after Luis Diaz equalised in the 61st-minute to cancel out Lautaro Martinez’s first-half opener in Brasilia on Tuesday.
Martinez was the hero in the shootout after the Argentina goalkeeper saved three spot-kicks to send the 14-time Copa winners – eyeing their first major title since 1993 – through to Sunday’s blockbuster decider against defending champions Brazil.
Messi, who is craving his first senior crown with La Albiceleste, was brilliant from the outset – the superstar dancing past three players before picking out Lautaro Martinez but the latter’s header sailed just wide of the post in the fourth minute.
Martinez got his goal three minutes later, however, after drilling home past David Ospina – Messi with the presence of mind to twist away from Yerry Mina before lifting his head and finding the Inter star.
Colombia almost celebrated an immediate response but Martinez was on hand to deny Juan Cuadrado just moments later.
As has been so often the case during the tournament, Argentina fell away following a bright start and Colombia were unfortunate not to equalise.
Colombia came within a whisker of restoring parity in the 37th minute, hitting the woodwork twice within seconds after Mina’s header rattled the crossbar from the resulting corner following Wilmar Barrios’ deflected shot that struck the post.
On the stroke of halftime, Argentina went close to doubling their lead after Nicolas Gonzalez’s header was narrowly deflected by Ospina.
Colombia were eventually rewarded via Diaz’s equaliser just past the hour-mark.
Diaz got in behind Argentina’s defence following a quick free-kick and the winger somehow managed to beat Martinez from an acute angle as Lionel Scaloni’s men were caught napping.
Colombia were fortunate to still be on level terms when Ospina came flying out of his penalty area as substitute Angel Di Maria charged through, but Barrios was on hand to make the last-ditch goal-line block, denying Martinez in the 73rd minute.
Messi then saw his shot hit the woodwork with nine minutes remaining during a tense finale as the showdown headed to penalties.
Martinez stood tallest to save three spot kicks to send his team towards a dream final against arch-rivals Brazil.
Anibal Pyro
Roar Rookie
Most of the intl games are played in euro soil, but in 2014, in Brazil, only Germany could hold the line. Lets see if in Qatar 35 celsius the Europeans can play at their rythm, the likes of Colombia, Mexico, Chile ,will be very Hard for them, besides Arg and Brazil
Anibal Pyro
Roar Rookie
Well, as an I Argie, I am not neutral, but the likes of Colombia with Zapata, Cuadrado, Mina, Ospina, Uruguay, Chile, etc have provides good games, right now Colombia Perú 1a1 and its a 3rd place game, hell of a game, frenétic pace.
MarkfromCroydon
Roar Pro
It’s very “Euro-centric” here in Australia in both the football media and the football following public. Having watched both the Euros and the Copa, I agree with you that Argentina and Brazil would beat Italy and England.
Anibal Pyro
Roar Rookie
YEAH!!! Messi is having an excellent tournament so far, 4 goals and 5 assists in 6 games, and incredible moves and skills, all aroun game. Best player of the world rigth now (again) I do not understand the hype to EuroCup, at this moment , in a neutral venue, both Argentina and Brazil will hammer England and probably beat Italy too. Brazil vs Argentina final at Maracana, Messi vs Neymar, give me that instead a boring Italy England.
MarkfromCroydon
Roar Pro
I’ve never seen Messi so fired up for any match ever in his career. Watch him in the penalty shootout when he screams “Dance Now Mina!” when a Colombian penalty is saved. I watched some Argentine t.v shows last night and they were ecstatic.