Copa America Report for Premier League Players – Day 15

EPL Players at Copa America 2024 – Day 15

We are now at the business end of the tournament, as the quarter-finals have now begun with Argentina sneaking past Ecuador into the semis. As part of our EPLNews Copa America report, here is how Premier League players involved in the tournament performed.

Argentina 2p-1 Ecuador (4-2 in the penalty shootout)

The reigning Copa America champions needed a penalty shootout to overcome a spirited Ecuador side in Houston.

Argentina took the lead after 35 minutes thanks to a well worked corner that gave Lisandro Martinez his first international goal. Enner Valencia missed a penalty in the second half for Ecuador, sending goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez the wrong way but only hitting the post.

Ecuador did equalise, their goal coming in injury time from Kevin Rodriguez, which sent the game to a penalty shootout. Lionel Messi missed the first spot kick, while Martinez saved Ecuador’s first two penalties, from Angel Mena and Alan Minda. Ecuador scored two of their pens through John Yeboah and Jordy Caicedo, while Julian Alvarez, Alexis Mac Allister, Gonzalo Montiel and Nicolas Otamendi ensured that Argentina progressed to the semi-finals.

There were plenty of big Premier League stars on show on both sides in this match, with Argentina’s Lisandro Martinez and Alexis Mac Allister especially giving good accounts of themselves and combining for the world champions’ goal. It was a different story for Ecuador, as Moises Caicedo and Jeremy Sarmiento did not enjoy a very good game.

Ratings

Argentina: Emiliano Martinez – 8; Cristian Romero (Tottenham) – 7; Lisandro Martinez (Manchester United) – 8; Enzo Fernandez (Chelsea) – 6.5; Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool) – 8; Julian Alvarez (Manchester City) – 6; Giovani Lo Celso (Tottenham) – 5.5

Ecuador: Moises Caicedo (Chelsea) – 6.5; Jeremy Sarmiento (Brighton) – 6