It's much easier being Messi when you have Dibu to save you from trouble

He saved Argentina in the 2021 Copa America.

He saved Argentina in the 2022 World Cup final.

He saves Argentina in the 2024 Copa America quarter-final.

What Emiliano Dibu Martinez has been doing in the last couple of years between the sticks will probably go down in history as one of the most incredible solo performances of a keeper ever.

The former Arsenal custodian made headlines this night, again, after stopping two penalties in the shootout against Ecuador to provide his team with the Copa America semi-final. This way, Martinez saved not just his national team, but their icon, Lionel Messi, who failed to score the opening penalty as his 'panenka' hit the crossbar.

Previously, Argentina were in front for the majority of the game as Lisandro Martinez scored the opener in the 35th minute before the stubborn Ecuadorians fought back with a last-gasp equalizer deep into stoppage time.

Argentina don't play spectacularly, nor great, nor very well... They are bang average, but the level of consistency and that, with a combination of sensational luck, is enough for the results. During the regular 90 minutes, Ecuador showed that they are capable of playing completely evenly against the world champions. However, it just wasn't enough for the incredible Dibu, who now has a breathtaking result when it comes to penalty saves - he conceded just 12 goals out of 24 total penalties with the national team! That is exactly 50% of the total, which makes him probably the best keeper in the world by a mile.

Argentina will face the defeater of the Canada-Venezuela tie in the semis.

COPA AMERICA - KNOCKOUT STAGE

Friday

Argentina - Ecuador 4-2 on pen (1-1)

/Lisandro Martinez 35 - Rodriguez 90+1/

Saturday

04.00: (2.55) Venezuela (3.10) Canada (2.95)

Sunday

00.55: (1.33) Colombia (5.00) Panama (10.0)

04.00: (2.85) Uruguay (3.15) Brazil (2.60)

***odds are subject to change***