Record-breaker Messi takes Argentina to Copa final

Argentina beat the United States 4-0 in the first Copa America Centenario semifinal, with Lionel Messi scoring his 55th international goal to break Gabriel Batistuta’s record for the Albiceleste.

Gerardo Martino’s team got on the score sheet quickly in Houston, with Ezequiel Lavezzi heading home from a perfect Messi chip into the U.S. penalty area to make it 1-0 before the five-minute mark.

Lavezzi’s goal was the fastest one the US has ever allowed at Copa America. The previous fastest was an eighth-minute goal scored by Colombia in the group stage opener on June 3.

Messi nearly doubled his team’s lead minutes later after a turnover from the U.S. midfield. The Barcelona striker ran straight at the Americans’ defense and blasted a left-footed shot from 20 yards out that forced Brad Guzan into a save.

In the 32nd minute, Messi found his Argentina record-breaking 55th goal. Chris Wondolowski fouled the Argentine No. 10 to set up a free kick from 30 yards out that Messi curled into the upper right corner of Guzan’s goal to make it 2-0.

Chasing a two-goal deficit, Jurgen Klinsmann put 17-year-old Christian Pulisic into the match for the struggling Wondolowski at half-time.

But it was Argentina who would strike again early in the second half, with Gonzalo Higuain firing a shot on Guzan’s goal from close range only to have the rebound bounce right to his feet to tap in to make it 3-0.

Argentina’s fourth goal came from another U.S. turnover, as Messi picked the ball up just outside the Americans’ penalty area and played a cross back to Higuain to give the Napoli striker his second goal of the match.

Argentina will face the winner of Wednesday’s other semifinal between Colombia and Chile, while the U.S. will play the loser of that match in the consolation game.