Lionel Messi scored his 76th worldwide objective and is now just one shy of Pele for the South American report as Argentina beat Ecuador 3-0 on Saturday to progress to the semifinals of the Copa America.
Messi scored from a late freekick and earlier laid on two assists as Argentina finally subdued Ecuador and stored the celebrity’s dream of profitable his first main worldwide title alive.
Argentina’s rival on the Mane Garrincha Stadium on Tuesday will probably be Colombia, which earlier overcame Uruguay on penalties. The different semifinal will characteristic defending champions Brazil and Peru.
Rodrigo de Paul opened the scoring on the Olimpico Stadium in Goiania within the thirty ninth minute, tapping into an empty objective earlier than Lautaro Martinez added the second within the 84th with a blast from shut vary. Messi, in his first match since his contract with Barcelona expired, assisted each of them.
In the dying moments of the match Messi scored Argentina’s third from a free kick from the sting of the field. It was his fourth objective within the event.
Heavily favored Argentina wasted a number of alternatives at 1-0 to cruise to a snug victory. Ecuador then hit the put up within the second half earlier than Martinez doubled Argentina’s lead. But Messi grew to become extra influential after 71 minutes when Angel di Maria stepped in changing Giovani lo Celso.
Ecuador additionally misplaced defender Piero Hincapie to a crimson card close to the top of the match after a foul on Di Maria that gave Argentina the free kick scored by Messi.
Messi stated being within the semifinals was one in all Argentina’s targets for the event.
“Now we have to rest and think of Colombia. They defend well, they have quick counters,” the striker stated. Asked about his efficiency, he was transient: “Individual awards are secondary.”
