Argentina striker Lionel Messi became his country’s leading goalscorer on Tuesday during the semis clash against host USA in the Copa America 2016.
Messi’s international goal tally rises to 55.
The five-time world player of the year scored in the 32nd minute of the match in Houston to give Argentina a 2-0 lead till halftime.
Ezequiel Lavezzi and Gonzalo Higuain also scored with assists from Messi in their 4-0 rout of USA.
Argentina has not won a major tournament since Copa América 1993. They advance to Finals with a 4-0 win over #USMNT pic.twitter.com/PBclltdacD
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) June 22, 2016
Lionel Messi is ridiculous.
Golazo to become Argentina’s all-time leading goal scorer. pic.twitter.com/5F6ddrDigG
— XFINITY Sports (@XFINITYSports) June 22, 2016
A free kick from 25 yards, Messi did not waste this opportunity shooting it straight past US goalkeeper Brazd Guzan.
Lionel Messi becomes Argentina’s all time leading scorer with this beauty https://t.co/0ZuOSfxQRe
— The Cauldron (ICYMI) (@CauldronICYMI) June 22, 2016
The Barcelona striker now has five goals in the Centenary Copa America and is one behind Chilean Eduardo Vargas in the race to become the tournament’s top goalscorer.
He has achieved his tally despite not starting in Argentina’s first three games because of a back injury.
His form has nevertheless been outstanding with the 28-year old scoring a hat-trick in 19 minutes after coming on as a substitute in a 5-0 win over Paraguay last week.
Argentina are now hot favourites to win Copa after having reached the finals in 2015 where they were beaten by current defending champions Chile. The outcome of Colombia and Chile match will see if there is a repeat clash between the two South American giants.
The Argentines would love to serve this dish cold!
