Messi scored three second-half goals in his return from a back injury, and Argentina clinched a spot in the knockout round of the Copa America Centenario with a 5-0 victory over an overwhelmed Panama team weakened by a flood of yellow cards.
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In 2014, Argentina marched to the World Cup final and looked to be destiny for Messi and co. but unfortunately they came away empty handed with a 1-0 defeat to the hands of the Germans.
Manchester City duo Nicolas Otamendi and Sergio Aguero also scored as Argentina ran out easy 5-0 winners against 10-man Panama and qualified for the quarter-finals of the Copa America.
Gomez believes Panama – who played with 10 men for nearly an hour after Anibal Godoy was shown two yellow cards in the first half – were capable of getting a result, up until Messi’s entrance.
LeBron James said Game 4 was another “do-or-die” scenario for the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Hit the video at the top of the page to watch his treble.
First, Roderick Miller’s clearing attempt for Panama went off Gonzalo Higuain and right to Messi, who took a couple of dribbles and then beat Jaime Penedo on the ground to the goaltender’s right side.
The 28-year-old skipper, whose hat-trick was highlighted by a stunning 78th-minute free-kick now has 53 internationals goals to his name, closing to within three of Argentina’s all-time record. They have more of a squad, with great players and more history.
Once Argentina put the monster in the game, it was all over for Panama. I am very grateful. Caught between defending himself against charges of tax evasion and picking up an injury in Argenina’s warm-up game against Honduras, the Barcelona superstar did not play in his country’s Copa America opener, a narrow 2-1 victory over Chile.
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“I was in pain but thankfully, little by little, I got going and thought it was best to start slowly and play a little bit, and that was what happened”, Messi told reporters.
