On Wednesday evening, ahead of the Copa America quarterfinals, hundreds of Argentine fans huddled in Discovery Green and called for a moment of silence.
The banderazo, or pregame party, in downtown Houston quieted as fans led a cheeky chant praying for Ecuador’s downfall.
Their prayers came true Thursday when, following a late-game tie, Argentina defeated Ecuador on penalty kicks at NRG Stadium.
The Landing’s photojournalists documented Houstonians celebrating Latin American pride, including Ecuadorian fans flocking to the team’s hotel, the JW Marriott Houston Downtown, hoping for a peek inside ahead of Thursday’s match.
Despite a nail-biting eleventh-hour goal from Ecuadorian forward Kevin Rodríguez in the first minute of second-half stoppage time, la seleción Argentina proved fatal for Ecuador.
After Nicolás Otamendi netted a penalty kick past Ecuadorian goalkeeper Alexander Domínguez, Ecuadorian fans in Houston hung their heads at a watch party in Midtown’s Vida Garden.
For many Houstonians, regardless of the outcome, it was an opportunity to watch their home countries compete on U.S. soil, right in their own city.
Michael Tamay waves a flag during a banderazo for the Ecuador national team outside of the J.W. Marriott Wednesday, July 3, 2024, in downtown Houston. (Mark Felix for Houston Landing)(Left photo) Espi, a three-year-old dalmatian, shows off a Lionel Messi soccer jersey during a Banderazo for the Argentina soccer team on July 3, 2024, at Discovery Green in Houston, Texas. The Argentina national team plays Ecuador in the quarter-final of the Copa America – the top soccer tournament among national teams from South America, on July 4th. (Right photo) Hundreds of Argentina soccer fans chanted and cheered during a Banderazo on July 3, 2024, at Discovery Green in Houston, Texas. The Argentina national team plays Ecuador in the quarter-final of the Copa America – the top soccer tournament among national teams from South America, on July 4th. (Meridith Kohut for Houston Landing)An Ecuador fan waits for the start of a banderazo for the Ecuador national team outside of the J.W. Marriott Wednesday, July 3, 2024, in downtown Houston. (Mark Felix for Houston Landing)Hundreds of Argentina soccer fans chanted and cheered during a Banderazo on July 3, 2024 at Discovery Green in Houston, Texas. The Argentina national team plays Ecuador in the quarter final of the Copa America – the top soccer tournament among national teams from South America, on July 4th. (Meridith Kohut for Houston Landing)Ecuador fans attend a banderazo for the Ecuador national team outside of the J.W. Marriott, Wednesday, July 3, 2024, in downtown Houston. (Mark Felix for Houston Landing)Hundreds of Argentina soccer fans chanted and cheered during a Banderazo on July 3, 2024 at Discovery Green in Houston, Texas. The Argentina national team plays Ecuador in the quarter final of the Copa America – the top soccer tournament among national teams from South America, on July 4th. (Meridith Kohut for Houston Landing)Soccer fans packed Vida Garden Bar in downtown Houston to watch the Copa America quarter-final soccer match between Argentina and Ecuador on July 4, 2024. (Meridith Kohut for Houston Landing)(Left photo) Argentina’s Nicolás Otamendi celebrates scoring against Ecuador the winning goal in a penalty shootout during a Copa America quarterfinal soccer match in Houston, Thursday, July 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) (Right photo) A teammate embraces Ecuador’s goalkeeper Alexander Dominguez after their loss in a penalty shootout against Argentina in a Copa America quarterfinal soccer match in Houston, Thursday, July 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
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