'Plan C' needed to give Alv a break...

WHEN Julian Alvarez sent his penalty flying into the top corner in Houston in the early hours of yesterday, he steadied Argentina's Copa America hopes after a turbulent quarter-final versus Ecuador.

- JOE BRAY

Alvarez was introduced in the second half as Argentina led, but a late Ecuador equaliser sent the game to penalties when Lionel Messi missed the first spot kick. Luckily for Argentina, so did Ecuador, with Alvarez stepping up next to confidently give his nation the lead.

A 4-2 shoot-out win followed, sending Argentina into the lastfour where they will fancy their chances of reaching the final as Canada or Venezuela await in the semi-finals.

A final appearance would be Alvarez's 71st game of a long season, and would be only a week before he jets back to Europe to represent Argentina in the Paris Olympics.

City will be delighted if Alvarez can add yet another major trophy to his bulging collection, but an extra week off could have done wonders to a player who simply doesn't get time off. It was fitting that the quarter-final took place at the NRG Stadium in Houston, as that was the site of his first outing as a Blues player in 2022.