Manchester United winger Alejandro Garnacho sent an emotionally charged message after Argentina’s penalty shootout win over Ecuador at the 2024 Copa America on Friday.
Argentina’s Copa America title defence continues this summer after avoiding a late comeback scare against Ecuador at the NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas.
Lisandro Martinez found the back of the net for the first time in his Argentina career after he fired La Albiceleste into the lead in the first half.
However, the Manchester United defender’s opener for Argentina was cancelled out in injuy time after Kevin Rodriguez pulled back an equaliser for Ecuador.
The 2021 Copa America champions played the full 30 minutes of extra time in the quarter-final match before beating Ecuador on penalties.
Barcelona legend Lionel Messi surprisingly missed the opening spot-kick for Argentina after his penalty effort bounced off the woodwork.
However, La Albiceleste found the back of the net in their next four penalties thanks to Julian Alvarez, Alexis Mac Allister, Gonzalo Montiel and Nicolas Otamendi.
Emi Martinez produced heroics for the 2022 World Cup champions in the penalty shootout, with the Argentina No 1 denying both Angel Mena and Alan Minda.
Garnacho’s playing time limited for Argentina
Lisandro Martinez has played a starring role for Argentina at this summer’s Copa America, with the Manchester United star partnered alongside Cristian Romero.
However, Alejandro Garnacho has not shared the same fortune as Martinez at the 2024 Copa America and has been limited in his playing time.
The 20-year-old Spain-born winger was left on the bench for Argentina’s 2-0 win over Canada and 1-0 victory over Chile in Group A.
Garnacho managed 66 minutes in the final Group A match against Peru before Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni withdrew the United star for Nicolas Gonzalez.
The Argentina international, who has only been capped six times for his country, had to settle for a place on the bench in the quarter-final clash against Ecuador.
Lionel Scaloni previously admitted that Garnacho’s lack of playing time was mainly due to the stacked talent he has in his squad at the Copa America.
Speaking ahead of Garnacho’s appearance against Peru, he said (via Bolavip): “I have to put him in, someone else has to go out.
“It is very easy for you, but it is not easy for me to make that decision. [Angel] Di Maria was on the bench, we did not know if [Lionel] Messi was 100 per cent.
“We would love for him to play because he is a boy who gives us a very good freshness, but when you make the game plan you have the intention that maybe he can come on and then the game changes.
“He has not had the opportunity yet but we hope to give it to him and that he can take advantage of it.
“Today you play and if you do well you make it difficult for both the coach and your teammate.”
Garnacho sends message after Argentina win
Garnacho took to social media and sent a rallying call after Argentina punched their ticket to the semi-finals of the Copa America in the United States.
“ALL TOGETHER to the Semi-Finals!!! [sic],” he wrote on Instagram.
Martinez had not left a comment on Garnacho’s Instagram post at the time of writing, but the United star fully supported the message by liking the post.
Former Manchester City defender Nicolas Otamendi, on the other hand, was among the Argentina players to react to Garnacho’s post.
Responding in the comments, he wrote: “That’s right Alejandrooooooooo to the semis [sic].”