Defending champion Argentina advanced to the Copa America semifinals, beating Ecuador 4-2 on penalty kicks following a 1-1 draw after conceding a tying goal in second-half injury time.

Lionel Messi on Thursday night put Argentina`s first penalty kick off the crossbar but goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez saved Ecuador`s first two attempts in the shootout and Nicolas Otamendi beat Alexander Dominguez with the winning kick.