Argentina tops Ecuador in shootout to reach Copa semis

(Photo credit: Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports)
Argentina, despite the returning Lionel Messi missing in a penalty shootout, defeated Ecuador in Houston on Thursday to reach the semifinals of Copa America.

Nicolas Otamendi scored in the top of the fifth round to seal a 4-2 shootout victory.

The score in regulation was 1-1 after Kevin Rodriguez tied it for Ecuador in the first minute of second-half stoppage time with a he