2024 Copa America quarterfinal:
Three of the four games were decided by penalties. Colombia was the only team to win in regulation time, securing a convincing victory over Panama.
Argentina, Canada, and Uruguay advanced to the semifinal after winning their respective penalty shootouts. Ecuador, Venezuela, and Brazil are out as a result.

Thursday, July 4, 2024

🇦🇷 Argentina* ( 1 ) – ( 1 ) 🇪🇨 Ecuador
In a thrilling encounter, Ecuador squared off against the defending champions and current World Cup holders, Argentina, ultimately taking the match to a dramatic penalty shootout.
Lisandro Martinez ignited the Argentine supporters, heading in the opening goal from a corner kick in the 35th minute, giving the Albiceleste a crucial lead. Ecuador had a golden opportunity to equalize when Enner Valencia stepped up for a penalty, only to see his effort crash against the post, leaving the scoreline unchanged. As the clock ticked down, Argentina appeared poised for victory.
However, the script took a dramatic turn when Kevin Rodriguez netted a stoppage-time goal for Ecuador, bringing the score to 1-1 and sending the match into a nerve-wracking penalty shootout.
The tension was palpable as both teams prepared for the shootout. Lionel Messi and Angel Mena each missed their opening kicks, setting a nervy tone for their respective sides. While Messi’s miss proved to be Argentina’s only falter in the shootout, Ecuador’s woes were compounded as Alan Minda followed Mena in missing his spot-kick.
In the end, Argentina emerged victorious, winning the shootout 4-2. Nicolas Otamendi sealed the triumph by dispatching the decisive penalty and securing Argentina’s place in the next round, but the hero of the shootout was none other than Emiliano Martinez.

Friday, July 5, 2024

🇻🇪 Venezuela ( 1 ) – ( 1 ) 🇨🇦 Canada*
Canada advances to the semifinal for a rematch with Argentina.
Venezuela faced a Canada side playing their first-ever Copa America knockout match and lost in a penalty shootout after coming from behind.
Canada was the better side in the first half and could have had a lead by multiple goals if they had converted their chances after going up a goal in the 13th minute.
Jacob Shaffelburg opened the scoring in the 13th minute to put Canada up a goal, giving them a lead until Salomón Rondón scored the equalizing goal for Venezuela in the 64th minute with a chip from just outside the center circle, into an empty net with the Canadian goalkeeper far out of his goal.
The match was decided on penalties. Both sides were not too clinical in the shootout, but Canada got the advantage when Wilker Ángel’s shot was saved, allowing Ismael Koné to score the winning penalty for a 4-3 win in the shootout.

Saturday, July 6, 2024

Colombia and Uruguay advanced to the semifinal at the expense of Panama and Brazil, respectively.

🇨🇴 Colombia ( 5 ) – ( 0 ) 🇵🇦 Panama
It was a better second half for Panama, but they had to improve after going into the break 3-0 down against a Colombian side that hasn’t put a foot wrong this tournament. Colombia comfortably won ‘5-0’ against Panama to advance to the semifinal. The goals came from five different players, including James Rodriguez, who also assisted two of the three first-half goals.

🇺🇾 Uruguay* ( 0 ) – ( 0 ) 🇧🇷 Brazil
Uruguay advanced to the semifinal by defeating Brazil in a penalty shootout following a goalless draw. Nahitan Nandez received a red card in the 74th minute for a reckless slide tackle, leaving Uruguay with a numerical disadvantage for the remainder of the match. Despite this, they held on to reach the final whistle and force the penalty shootout.
Federico Valverde was first to kick and scored, giving Uruguay a strong start. Eder Militao followed but couldn’t convert for Brazil. The first three kickers for Uruguay converted their shots, while only Andreas Pereira scored for Brazil. Alisson saved Jose Gimenez’s penalty to keep Brazil alive, and Gabriel Martinelli scored to force Uruguay to use their fifth kicker, Manuel Ugarte, who scored the deciding penalty.

THE SEMI FINAL – 2024 COPA AMERICA

Tuesday, July 9, 2024

🇦🇷 Argentina vs. 🇨🇦 Canada 
It will be a familiar opponent in the semifinal for Argentina and Canada. The first semi final fixture of the Copa America will be a rematch from Group A: Argentina vs. Canada. This was also the opening fixture of the tournament, where Argentina were 2-0 winners on the day.

Wednesday, July 10, 2024

🇺🇾 Uruguay vs. 🇨🇴 Colombia
Colombia’s only title in this competition came in 2001, while Uruguay’s last title was ten years later, in 2011. Neither team has reached the final since their respective victories. However, one of them will be heading to the 2024 final.