A Gonzalo Higuain brace and a masterful display from Lionel Messi – who created some more history with a goal of his own – helped Argentina into the Copa America Centenario semifinals after a 4-1 win over Venezuela.
Messi equaled Gabriel Batistuta’s 54-goal record for Argentina, joining the Fiorentina great as their country’s equal top goalscorers when he turned home the third goal to seal his side’s triumph.
His goal followed a first-half brace from Higuain, who looked in inspired form, scoring his 27th and 28th goals for his nation, with Tottenham’s Erik Lamela also getting in on the goalscoring with his first touch of the ball after coming on just four minutes earlier.
Argentina might be facing host USA in the semifinals.