Lionel Messi (center) led Argentina to a 4-0 win over the United States in Houston. Messi had a foot in each goal, scoring one and assisting the other three. Photo credit: Victor Araiza/Prost America
It was all Argentina at NRG Stadium on Tuesday night as Lionel Messi continued to make history.
In front of 70,858, declared a sellout crowd and the largest attendance for a soccer match in Houston, Argentina continued their good form in this Copa America Centenario and dominated the United States, 4-0, on their way to booking a place in the final.
Ezequiel Lavezzi, almost immediately, placed La Albiceleste in the lead in the 3rd minute on a pass by Lionel Messi and Argentina never looked back.
Here it is: Leo Messi becoming the ARG all-time goal scorer. So fortunate to be here #CopaAmerica #Messi @barcastuff pic.twitter.com/uhS92JNNJt
— Laura (@xylauraz) June 22, 2016
Lionel Messi would then score the goal of the night, and maybe of his career, off a free kick in the 32nd minute. It is important because it is his 55th goal when wearing the Argentina jersey, making him the lone top goalscorer in the history books of the national team.
ACHIEVEMENT: UNLOCKED ? Leo Messi: Argentina’s all-time leading scorer. #Messi16 #FirstNeverFollows pic.twitter.com/xS9w4Ju9e4
— Team Messi (@TeamMessi) June 22, 2016
Messi is…#LaLiga‘s all-time leading scorer
Barça’s all-time leading scorer
Argentina’s all-time leading scorer pic.twitter.com/sBtixRxwWE— LaLiga (@LaLigaEN) June 22, 2016
Argentina would head into halftime with a 2-0 lead over the United States.
Gonzalo Higuain scored a brace in the second half to stress the dominance in pace and talent over their United States counterparts. Higuain took advantage of a defensive mistake for Argentina’s third goal in the 50th minute and was assisted by Messi for Argentina’s fourth goal in the 86th minute.
With the win, Argentina advances to the final on Sunday against the winner tomorrow’s semifinal bout between Colombia and Chile. The United States will face the loser of that match on Saturday in the third place match.
Box Score:
3′ – ARG – Ezequiel Lavezzi (Lionel Messi)
32′ – ARG – Lionel Messi
50′ – ARG – Gonzalo Higuain
86′ – ARG – Gonzalo Higuain (Lionel Messi)
Highlights:
Victor Araiza is a Houston-based writer covering Copa America Centenario and the Houston Dynamo beat reporter for Prost Amerika.
Follow @victoraraiza Tweet to @victoraraiza
