After Lisandro Martinez’s opening on 35 minutes seemed to have guaranteed a narrow victory as the clock ran over 90 minutes, Lionel Scaloni’s team was on course to reach the last-four in regulation time.
But Kevin Rodriguez’s header in the opening minute of stoppage time drove the game towards spot-kicks in which the Blues’ forward from 12 yards prevailed.
Argentina will thus be facing Venezuela or Canada on Wednesday, July 10 for a feature in Hard Rock Stadium, Florida for this year’s showpiece.
Starting at a frenetic pace, both sides created opportunities before Jeremy Sarmiento and Kendry Paez both came near to an opener for Ecuador with the former stopped by Emiliano Martinez from close range and the latter blasting over the bar.
The global champions then turned into events and came agonisingly near to the breakthrough when Enzo Fernandez’s header barely passed the post.
That would indicate the beginning of ongoing pressure on Argentina, which paid off 35 minutes when Martinez guided Alexis Mac Allister’s corner into the net following a VAR check.
The defender’s goal was the lone goal of the first half; Ecuador had a golden chance to level 15 minutes following the interval when the referee, using VAR, awarded a penalty after Rodrigo de Paul handled in the box.Enner Valencia went up, but he could only send his 12-yard crash off the post.
Ecuador seemed to be rue the chance when the clock was running down with Argentina leading sloppily, but Rodriguez’s last-gasp header in second-half stoppage time drove the encounter to penalties.
Although Lionel Messi’s first try fell against the crossbar, Martinez, who usually plays a major part in shootouts, saved Angel Mena’s attempt.
Alvarez then started an unrelenting assault before Aston Villa’s keeper made another amazing stop to deny Alan Minda.
With his nation’s final kick, former City man Nicolas Otamendi might win the shootout between Argentina’s Mac Allister and Gonzalo Montiel and Ecuador’s John Yeboah and Jordy Caicedo.
And the defender made no error to send Scaloni’s men with a 4-2 penalty victory into the semi-finals.