LIONEL MESSI’S difficult Copa America continued last night as he fluffed a Panenka penalty against Ecuador.
Messi, 37, has been nursing a thigh complaint throughout the tournament which forced him to miss Argentina’s final group stage game against Peru.
Messi has failed to score so far, with Inter’s Lautaro Martinez instead proving to Argentina’s main man with four goals in the group stage.
And the Inter Miami star endured another tough game against Ecuador in the quarter-final.
Argentina led for most of the game after another Martinez, Manchester United’s Lisandro, opened the scoring in the 35th minute.
Former West Ham and Everton striker Enner Valencia hit the post with a penalty for Ecuador in the second half.
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But Kevin Rodriguez finally found the net for the Ecuadorians in added time to send the game to a shootout.
And up stepped Messi for the first kick looking to get Argentina off to a flying.
However, the former Barcelona and PSG superstar was left with his head in his hands in disbelief after his attempted Panenka floated into the crossbar.
Fortunately for Messi, he was saved my his team-mates.
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In particular Aston Villa’s Emi Martinez, who saved the following two Ecuador spot-kicks.
He has a remarkable record of saving from the spot for Argentina, saving 12 of the 24 penalties he has faced for his country, including in the 2022 World Cup final against France.
England’s five-point penalty shootout plan
EXPERT football psychologist Professor Geir Jordet has told Gareth Southgate and his players what they can do to give themselves the best chance of victory in any shootouts.
And he has even thrown in a rogue, bold suggestion for the Three Lions manager…
1. START PLANNING LAST YEAR
“It’s about planning for the opposition’s penalty takers but also ‘how do we win the psychological game against each opponent?’
2. SMART SOUTHGATE LEADERSHIP
“Southgate will have two minutes to influence his players as effectively as possible, show he has a plan and get confidence across.”
3. DICTATE AS A TEAM
“A shootout is really a team performance. Have the goalkeeper walk with the penalty taker into the penalty area to basically create a two-versus-one against the other goalkeeper. Dominate the centre circle, support the players who missed.”
4. ‘BULLETPROOF’ INDIVIDUAL ROUTINES
“Have really good, individualised and rehearsed pre-shot routines that are bulletproof and polished so they’re more likely to be able to resist the stress and more likely to score.”
5. SHOOT YOUR SHOT
“Practise the shot itself, trying to simulate penalty shootouts in training. Even recreating 20 per cent of a Euros final penalty shootout is going to have a benefit for your performance.”
AND A JOR DROPPING IDEA…
Jordan Pickford is the No1 but Dean Henderson actually has a far better penalty record – saving 8/22 (36 per cent) compared to Pickford’s 8/62 (13 per cent).
Jordet said: “One could consider making a late substitution for a penalty shootout. I doubt that they dare to do it in case it fails and the pressure is even higher but it would be a very ballsy move.”
Julian Alvarez, Alexis Mac Allister, Gonzalo Montiel and Nicolas Otamendi all netted for the reign world champions as they won 4-2 on penalties.
They will face either Venezuela and Canada in the semis next week.
Messi, like Cristiano Ronaldo, has managed one assist so far in their respective international tournaments.
Both have looked their age to some extent with their team-mates stepping up to get them through their knockout fixtures.
In response to Messi’s attempted Panenka, one fan on X wrote: “It’s simply not Lionel Messi’s tournament so far. He arrived with discomfort and he played this game again with discomfort.
“He took Argentina by the hand in their last 2 tournaments and now his team takes him by the hand, that’s the beauty of this sport.”
How Portugal have performed at the Euros with Cristiano Ronaldo
CRISTIANO RONALDO has been a model of longevity for more than two decades in an outstanding international career.
Euro 2004
After making his international debut in 2003, Ronaldo’s first Euros came in 2004.
Ronaldo marked his Euro debut with a goal in a 2-1 defeat to Greece – his first for Portugal.
He scored his second in the semi-final win over the Netherlands, but Portugal met Greece again in the final, losing 1-0 in shock result.
Euro 2008
Ronaldo was Portugal captain four years later but Euro 2008 was the least impactful tournament he’s had.
There was still time for a standout performance, though, as Ronaldo scored once and set up two more in a group-stage win over the Czech Republic.
Euro 2012
Playing at Real Madrid at the time, Ronaldo was the top goalscorer at Euro 2012, with three goals, including a brace in the group stage against the Netherlands.
Portugal’s quarter-final against Czech Republic was heading towards a stalemate with 10 minutes to go and they needed a special moment from him.
His powerful header in the dying minutes took Portugal to the semi-finals where they lost on penalties to Spain.
Euro 2016
Ronaldo scored three goals in Euro 2016, with Portugal crowned CHAMPIONS after defeating France 1-0 in extra time in the final.
After suffering an injury inside the opening 16 minutes against France, he was forced to watch from the sidelines.
Yet the Portugal captain became a cheerleader, and helped coach his team-mates to the historic victory.
He matched Michel Platini’s record of nine goals by the end of Euro 2016.
Euro 2020
Ronaldo made history again with FIVE goals at Euro 2020, the most of any player at a Euros.
Yet it was arguably Portugal’s least exciting affair, as they exited in the Round of 16 following a 1-0 defeat to Belgium.
With his goals in this tournament, Ronaldo became the top goalscorer at the European Championship with 14 goals.
Another wrote: “Previous Argentina squad would have failed him but this set is unique.”
A third said: “Never seen these excuses for Ronaldo. But the greatest do it regardless of their circumstances 🤷♂️”
Ronaldo memorably broke down in tears during Portugal’s last game against Slovenia.
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Like Argentina, the Portuguese needed penalties to advance past their opponents.
Portugal take on France in the Euros quarter-finals at 8pm on Thursday.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
