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Messi(ah) sends Argentina to semis
Argentina and Chile advanced to the semi-finals of the Copa America on Saturday with Chile beating Mexico 7-0 and Lionel Messi getting a goal in Argentina’s 4-1 win over Venezuela to equal his country’s all-time scoring record.
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migrator
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Messi scored in the 60th minute to take his career tally for Argentina to 54 goals, matching the record held by Gabriel Batistuta. “I am happy to have equalled Batistuta’s record but my head is focused on lifting the Copa America,” said the five-time World Player of the Year. Argentina will now face the United States in the first semi-final on Tuesday in Houston.
Reigning champions Chile joined them in the last four after a 7-0 demolition of Mexico in Santa Clara. Argentina got off to the perfect start after just seven minutes when Gonzalo Higuain dived to turn a delicate cross from Messi past goalkeeper Dani Hernandez. The in-form Napoli striker doubled the lead 20 minutes later when he latched on to a slack back pass to round the goalkeeper and slot the ball into the empty net.
Salomon Rondon twice came close for Venezuela and his side should have pulled a goal back two minutes from half time after Sergio Romero brought down Josef Martinez in the box. However, the Manchester United goalkeeper redeemed himself when he stood firm and Seijas’ carelessly dinked penalty sailed right into his arms.
Unstoppable Chile
Chile were unstoppable in the other quarter-final in Santa Clara as they hammered a surprisingly fragile Mexico. Edson Puch got his first international goal after 15 minutes when he fired home after keeper Guillermo Ochoa could only parry a longrange shot. Vargas got a second just before half time when he was first to pounce on a cross ball.
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