Messi’s exploits deliver Argentina to the Copa America semi-finals

• Within the final 4 video games on Tuesday, the 14-time winner will face Colombia, which Uruguay defeated on penalties earlier within the day.
• Messi arrange targets for Rodrigo De Paul and Lautaro Martinez earlier than taking an added-time free kick residence to high off a powerful efficiency.
• The outcome was robust for Ecuador, who ended the sport with 10 males after Pedro Hicapie was despatched off, however remained aggressive all alongside.

GOIANIA: Lionel Messi’s exploits towards Ecuador helped Argentina beat Argentina 3-Zero in Goiania on Saturday to succeed in the ultimate 4 of the Copa America.

Within the final 4 video games on Tuesday, the 14-time winner will face Colombia, which Uruguay defeated on penalties earlier within the day.

Messi scored targets for Rodrigo De Paul and Lautaro Martinez earlier than taking a free kick in added time to high off a powerful particular person effort.

The outcome was robust for Ecuador, who ended the sport with 10 males after Pedro Hicapie was despatched off, however remained aggressive all alongside.

Argentina acquired off to an excellent begin and Martinez nearly scored the purpose with an excellent second. He knocked the ball over goalkeeper Hernan Galindez, then volleyed in, solely Robert Arboldea blocked the ball on the road.

Moments later, a shot from Martinez was deflected far-off and German Pezzella volleyed into the aspect netting from the ensuing nook.

Carlos Gruezo nearly gave Argentina a purpose when Messi went clear along with his tried again go and will solely defeat Galindez, however the six-time Ballon d’Or winner noticed his shotgun again off the submit.

On the different finish, goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez needed to be vigilant to parry a shocking 20-yard volley from Sebastian Mendez.

Argentina had their very own place seven minutes earlier than half-time when Pervis Estupinan crossed from the left and Enner Valencia’s header narrowly missed Alan Franco sliding on the again submit.

Messi takes management

Two minutes later, Argentina was within the lead with Messi because the architect.

First he performed on purpose in Nicolas Gonzalez, however when attacked by Galindez, Messi was the quickest to react and introduced De Paul to purpose.

Earlier than the break, Galindez had time to make an unimaginable double save towards Gonzalez earlier than Valencia someway headed previous the purpose from six meters away.

After the break, Valencia remained Ecuador’s most probably route again into the sport and the Livewire striker’s shot hit Martinez within the leg earlier than falling behind.

A nasty cross from Estupina was then nearly changed into his personal web by Gonzalez.

Messi nearly killed the tie, however his shot went simply huge of the submit whereas Aston Villa goalkeeper Martinez blocked substitute Gonzalo Plata with a block simply wanting the submit.

Inter Milan striker Martinez lastly ended Ecuador’s protection six minutes from the top of Messi’s go after Hincapie took possession of the ball from Angel Di Maria.

And Hincapie performed a depressing couple of minutes when he was despatched off in stoppage time after pulling substitute Di Maria again after a clear run, with Messi displacing the free-kick.

Document breaker Ospina

Goalkeeper David Ospina was the hero when Colombia beat Uruguay on penalties in Brasilia.

Ospina saved two penalties on penalties the day he made his 112th Colombian worldwide, dropping the earlier nationwide document he shared with legendary Carlos Valderrama.

He devoted the victory to his civil war-torn nation, which, alongside Argentina, would have been one of many two hosts earlier than the South American soccer affiliation CONMEBOL moved the event to Brazil over issues in regards to the coronavirus pandemic and social unrest in Colombia.

“We simply need to deliver pleasure to our nation, a rustic that is stuffed with peace, full of people that share and luxuriate in as a result of we now have a gorgeous nation,” mentioned Ospina, 32.

With a dreary 0-Zero on the rules 90 minutes earlier than the quarter-final tie, there was little to report.

Ospina saved Jose Gimenez and Matias Vina whereas Colombia took all 4 penalties.

It was an enormous disappointment for Uruguay’s star strikers Edinson Cavani and Luis Suarez, who each transformed their penalties however nearly definitely performed of their final Copa.

Brazil defeated Chile 1-Zero on Friday and reached the semi-finals on Monday towards Peru, which Paraguay defeated 4-Three on penalties after an eventful 3-Three draw, during which each groups completed with 10 males.