Against Ecuador on Thursday, defender Lisandro Martinez scored Argentina’s first goal in the Copa America 2024 quarterfinals.

Lionel Messi scored in the 35th minute after swinging in a corner kick that Alexis MacAllister flicked behind, leaping above Martinez.

Manchester United’s centre back firmly headed the ball towards goal. The Ecuadorian custodian, Alexander Dominguez, tried in vain to punch it out because the ball was safely inside the goal.

Martinez made his international debut for Argentina on March 22, 2019, when the team lost 1-3 to Venezuela in an International Friendly.

Prior to the quarterfinal match against Ecuador, the player had played 20 matches for his country’s national team, including the 2021 Copa America and the 2022 FIFA World Cup.