Messi overcomes injury to start Copa America quarterfinal
Lionel Messi passed a late fitness test Thursday to start Argentina's Copa America quarterfinal win over Ecuador.
Argentina's starters 🚨 pic.twitter.com/k4O9uZkAy7
— CONMEBOL Copa América™️ ENG (@copaamerica_ENG) July 4, 2024
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said he would wait until the last minute to determine whether Messi's hamstring injury would cost him a second straight match at the Copa America. Messi sat out Argentina's final group-stage game, a 2-0 victory over Peru.
Messi tweaked his hamstring during Argentina's 1-0 win over Chile on June 27. After receiving treatment on the field for several minutes, the 37-year-old saw out the remainder of the game. He participated in training on Wednesday.
Messi played the full match Thursday as Argentina used a 4-2 shootout victory to reach the Copa America semifinals for the fifth consecutive tournament. He missed the opening spot-kick of the shootout, sending a Panenka off the crossbar, but goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez then stole the show as the reigning South American champion moved on.