Alejandro Garnacho sends clear five-word message after Argentina’s win over Ecuador as Lisandro Martinez reacts

Lisandro Martinez found the net for the first time in his Argentina career after giving the Albiceleste a first-half lead.

However, the Manchester United defender’s opener for Argentina was cancelled out in added time after Kevin Rodriguez equalised for Ecuador.

The 2021 Copa America champions played 30 minutes of extra time in their quarter-final match before beating Ecuador on penalties.

Barcelona legend Lionel Messi surprisingly missed Argentina’s first penalty after his shot bounced off the woodwork.

However, the Albiceleste found the back of the net with their next four penalties through Julian Alvarez, Alexis Mac Allister, Gonzalo Montiel and Nicolas Otamendi.

Emi Martinez produced heroics for the 2022 world champions in the penalty shootout, with the Argentina number one keeping out Angel Mena and Alan Minda.

READ MORE: Lisandro Martinez sends powerful message after Argentina win, Alejandro Garnacho reacts with perfect five-word response

Garnacho’s playing time limited for Argentina

Lisandro Martinez played a starring role for Argentina at this summer’s Copa America, with the Manchester United star partnering Cristian Romero.

However, Alejandro Garnacho did not have the same luck as Martinez at the 2024 Copa America and was limited in his playing time.

The 20-year-old Spanish-born winger was left on the bench in Argentina’s 2-0 win over Canada and 1-0 victory over Chile in Group A.

Garnacho played 66 minutes in the final Group A game 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 against Ecuador.

Lionel Scaloni had previously admitted that Garnacho’s lack of playing time was mainly due to the sheer 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 play him, someone else has to come out.

“It’s very easy for you, but it’s not easy for me to make this decision. (Angel) Di Maria was on the bench, we didn’t know if (Lionel) Messi was 100%.

“We would like him to play because he is a boy who brings us very good freshness, but when you establish the game plan, you have the intention that he can perhaps come into play and then the game changes.

“He hasn’t had the opportunity yet but we hope to give it to him and that he can enjoy it.

“Today you play and if you play well you make it difficult for both the coach and your teammate.”

READ MORE: Manchester United fans all say the same thing after Lisandro Martinez masterclass against Ecuador, their message is clear

Garnacho sends message after Argentina victory

Garnacho took to social media and issued a rallying call after Argentina booked their place in the Copa America semi-finals in the United States.

“ALL TOGETHER for 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 was one of the Argentine players to react to Garnacho’s message.

In response in the comments, he wrote: “That’s right Alejandrooooooooo for the semi-finals (sic).”

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