Copa America: Argentina Crush USA To Book Final Spot

Goals by Ezequiel Lavezzi, Lionel Messi and a Gonzola Higuain brace put Gerardo Martino’s side in their second consecutive Copa America final, where they will play either Chile or Colombia.

Messi, as ever, was the architect of it all. He is the finest soccer player on the planet, the best of this generation, and one of the greatest in history, and he displayed them in one night.

The Barcelona striker became the nation’s all-time leading goal scorer with his record-breaking 55th international goal. He curled a set piece across Guzan and in under the crossbar for his fifth goal of the tournament
The five-time world player of the year also set up Ezequiel Lavezzi’s opening goal in the third minute, and assisted on the final goal that put the La Albiceleste into the Copa America final.

“This was the goal when we got here, to play another final and we made it,” Messi said. “We’ve been spectacular from day one and we deserved this.”

Argentina – seeking to end a 23-year wait for a major trophy – will now face either defending champion Chile or Colombia in the final.

“That’s what we hope and what we want, to finally achieve that,” Messi added. “We deserve it, for all the good work we’ve been doing all these years.”

Asked about Messi’s historic night in Houston, Argentina coach, Gerardo Martino said: “It makes me very happy what he has done. Very pleased that has been in this Copa America.

“It is great that the best player in the world is the leading scorer of the Argentina national team.

“But knowing how he is, he is happier about the team.”

Meanwhile, USA where without three first-team regulars – Jermaine Jones, Bobby Wood and Alejandro Bedoya, who were suspended for the semi-final, however their replacement’s – Graham Zusi, Chris Wondolowski and Kyle Beckerman where not able to hold Lionel Messi and his teammates.

“We had far too much respect (for Argentina),” USA head coach Jurgen Klinsmann said. “They smell that, they feel it. And they start to play their game with all the quality that they have.

“After the early goal probably the players could feel it that in every position on the field they were just better than we are.”

The second semi-final match between Chile and Colombia is slated for 1:00 am at the Soldier Field stadium, Chicago, Illinois.