Argentina captain Lionel Messi has explained his decision to go with a Panenka during the penalty shoot-out against Ecuador.
The defending champions progressed to the semi-finals after overcoming the Ecuadorians on penalties after it ended 1-1 in extra-time.
Messi took the first penalty for his nation but ended up hit the crossbar with the Panenka.
Read: Suarez Drops Fresh Retirement Hint
Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez would go on to be the hero with two saves in the shoot-out, as the world champions advanced to the final four.
"[There's] a lot of anger," Messi said when asked the failed spot-kick, as per ESPN.
"I was convinced of kicking it like that. I had spoken with Dibu and with [Argentina's backup goalkeeper Geronimo] Rulli.
"I had taken a couple of penalties aiming for the corners but I hadn't practiced [the panenka].
"In fact the [Ecuador] goalkeeper (Alexander Domínguez) had dived across and I tried to touch it but it went too high."
For all your exclusive football content and breaking news, join our WhatsApp Channel here!
Messi also hailed the presence of Martinez in the shoot-out, where he has become one of the best penalty shot-stoppers in the world.
"I knew that Dibu [Martínez] is always in these moments, he likes these moments, he becomes great," Messi said.
"Besides, he is great when he is in goal. It is complicated [for opponents], he is very fast, he had a lot of faith, even before the game he was saying with us at the possibility that if there were penalties we had to be calm. It is fortunate that when we get to this point [a penalty shootout] we have an advantage."
