Photo essay: Houstonians celebrate Argentina, Ecuador in Copa America

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.