Lionel Messi became Argentina's all-time record goalscorer as the
two-time world champions outclassed the United States 4-0 to reach the
Copa America Centenario final on Tuesday.
Messi curled in a magnificent 32nd-minute free-kick to take his total to
55 goals as the United States' campaign ended with an emphatic defeat
in front of a 70 858 crowd at Houston's NRG Stadium.
The five-time world player of the year now has five goals in this Copa
America as he aims to lead Argentina to their first major title in 23
years.
The Barcelona superstar also created Argentina's opening goal for
Ezequiel Lavezzi and was involved in the build-up for their third,
scored by Gonzalo Higuain in the 50th minute. Messi then laid on the
pass for Higuain's second four minutes from time.
"We've been playing well from day one and we deserve to be in the
final," said a delighted Messi, dedicating his goals tally to the work
of his teammates.
"I'm happy to have the record, and I'm happy to play with the teammates
that have made it possible. I owe it to them," said Messi, who is now
one clear of Gabriel Batistuta's mark of 54 goals.
US coach Jurgen Klinsmann, meanwhile, said his team had showed Argentina
"too much respect" after a display which saw them finish with zero
shots on or off target.
"I think in general we had too much respect," Klinsmann said while hailing Argentina as the "No 1 team in the world."
"I told the guys there's nothing to be ashamed of. We have to learn and
move forward," Klinsman said. "We have to keep our heads up and swallow
it. But Argentina are a special team."
Argentina will now face either Chile or Colombia in Sunday's final at
East Rutherford, New Jersey – their third major final in three years
after reaching the finals of the 2015 Copa America and 2014 World Cup.
A disastrous start for the United States saw the hosts fall behind after
only three minutes when they gifted possession to Messi on the edge of
the area.
The Argentina captain instantly spotted that Lavezzi was unmarked and
lofted a first time pass through to the China-based midfielder to head
home.
- Messi magic -
Argentina might have doubled their lead five minutes later, when Ever
Banega backheeled to pick out Marcos Rojo, who crossed for Messi, only
for the Albiceleste skipper to shoot over.
Messi was again on the prowl in the 14th minute, seizing upon another
American mistake to burst clear from near halfway before firing a shot
which Brad Guzan managed to gather safely.
With Argentina monopolising possession, it was only a matter of time before the South Americans scored again.
The second goal almost came on 22 minutes when Messi released Higuain
with a quick free-kick into the penalty area, only for Geoff Cameron to
snuff out the danger with a desperate tackle.
But just after the half-hour mark the US defense buckled, Messi causing
panic on another foray before being bundled over with a crude challenge
by Chris Wondolowski, who was promptly booked.
From the ensuing free-kick, Messi stepped up to curl in his magnificent record-equalling effort and Argentina were 2-0 up.
Klinsmann introduced Borussia Dortmund teenager Christian Pulisic at
halftime for the ineffective Wondolowski but within five minutes it was
3-0.
Once again, the US coughed up possession in midfield and from the left flank Lavezzi picked out Higuain in the penalty area.
Higuain's first shot was saved by Guzan, but the Napoli striker was on hand to tap in the simplest of rebounds.
With hope ebbing away, the remaining 40 minutes became an exercise in damage limitation for the Americans.
The hosts earned a brief respite from the onslaught when play was held
up after Lavezzi injured himself falling over a hoarding, but Argentina
were quickly back in control.
The only surprise was that it took until 86 minutes for Argentina to
grab their fourth, Messi pouncing on yet another US mistake to burst
into the box before squaring for Higuain to finish with aplomb.
