The unsettled Carlos Teves was the Argentina player whose penalty miss knocked them out of the Tournament in a game that saw both teams reduced to 10 men and Messi take on the captain’s armband after fellow Barça star Mascherano was sent off rather harshly for a second yellow in the 86th minute. The positive side for Barça is that Messi, Mascherano and Milito will now all report back a week ahead of what they would have done had Argentina, as expected, reached the final.

Messi leadership

Once again, Leo Messi was called on to lift the hosts after they conceded an early goal to Diego Perez, from a free kick taken by Diego Forlan and the Barça man’s talent, character and leadership was key to Argentina’s reaction.

Playing as a deep lying right sided attacker, Messi constantly dropped back to look for the ball and create attacking options and on 17 minutes he sent in a lovely curling cross that Higuain met to head home the equaliser. The two players combined again a few minutes later, this time from a free kick, but the Madrid man’s goal was disallowed this time. Argentina took control after their equaliser though and Uruguay were reduced to a more physical approach as they tried to stem the tide, with Diego Perez sent off on 38 minutes. Uruguay had chances though and saw a goal disallowed and a shot hit the woodwork in a thrilling first 45 minutes.

Stalemate broken by penalties

The rhythm dropped after the break, with Argentina dominating possession and Uruguay happy to defend with their 10 men . Messi nearly put Higuain through on 78 minutes and immediately afterwards Forlan had the chance to give Uruguay their second, but the 90 minutes ended 1-1. Just before the end, Mascherano saw his second yellow – a rather harsh one – and so for the final half hour, both teams were down to 10 men.

Extra time followed the same script as the first 90 minutes, with Argentina unable to convert their possession into goals and Uruguay looking for the counter attack. Higuain hit the woodwork and Messi had a couple of dangerous efforts, but the Uruguayan keeper Muslera was having the game of his life and keeping everything out. Indeed, the keeper was the hero of the penalty shootout for his team, saving Tevez’s penalty and sending Uruguay into the semi finals against Peru.