Argentina books spot in Copa America Centenario semi-finals, will play USMNT
One goal, two assists, and the equaling of Argentina's all-time scoring record.
Included in Gerardo Martino's starting XI for the first time at the Copa America Centenario, Lionel Messi was nothing short of a superhero Saturday, using his superpowers to lift Argentina to a 4-1 victory over Venezuela that placed La Albiceleste in the tournament's semi-finals. All that was missing was a cape.
Congrats to @Argentina's Lionel Messi, @Budweiser Man of the Match- https://t.co/rUfsketgCr pic.twitter.com/rUAdSIuX0E
— Copa América 2016 (@CA2016) June 19, 2016
The quarter-final fixture marked the first time Messi started for Argentina since he suffered an injury to his lumbar region and rib cage in La Albiceleste's friendly against Honduras in May, and it took him all of eight minutes to remind the planet that he's not from Earth, producing an imperious pass that allowed Gonzalo Higuain to finally score his first goal at the Copa America Centenario.
Related - Watch: Higuain scores his 1st goal at Copa America Centenario
That, however, was merely the appetiser for Messi, as he manufactured what those at Gillette Stadium were hoping to see on the hour mark and equalled Gabriel Batistuta's record 54 goals scored for Argentina. All he had to do was poke the ball through Daniel Hernandez's legs upon receiving a pass from Nicolas Gaitan.
Related - Watch: Messi equals Batistuta's record with 54th goal for Argentina
Before the match, Batistuta admitted he would be irritated when Messi equaled his record, saying, according to Martin Mazur of the Guardian: "It will annoy me, but I will have the consolation that I lost my record to a player of another dimension."
Lionel Messi has only taken nine shots at the #CopaAmerica. He's scored with four of them.
— James Tyler (@JamesTylerESPN) June 19, 2016
Of note, Batistuta was part of Argentina's squad when La Albiceleste last won a trophy 23 years ago, taking the pitch at the 1993 Copa America. While Messi will inevitably surpass his record - perhaps in the semi-finals - Batigol has done something the No. 10 has yet to accomplish. Then again, two victories is all that separates the native of Rosario, Argentina from an international prize.
Awaiting Argentina in the semi-finals is the United States men's national team, who defeated Ecuador 2-1 to qualify for the final four for only the second time in history.