Lionel Messi and Argentina sent a message of warning to the United States on Saturday night, with a resounding 4-1 victory over Venezuela in the quarterfinals of the Copa America.
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The victor of the match between Venezuela and Argentina will play the United States in the semi-finals. Venezuela momentarily threatened when Salomon Rondon rose highest to score for Venezuela, but the glimmer of hope for Venezuela was nearly instantly quelled when Erik Lamela scored the 4 goal for Argentina with Lionel Messi getting the assist.
In the 42nd minute Argentina goalkeeper Sergio Romero brought down Josef Martínez and Venezuela was awarded a penalty kick.
If the United States does the nigh impossible beating Argentina they would advance to the final at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey on Sunday the 26th on FS1/Univision. “Until Tuesday is not a lot of time but we will turn our head to that”.
Venezuela were only able to get one point from their first six matches in the South American World Cup qualifiers and conceded 17 goals.
Argentina did not need the full services of Lionel Messi as they easily topped Group D at the Copa America Centenario.
“We had many goal situation and were fair winners”, Martino said.
Argentina coach Gerardo Martino gave Marcos Rojo (knee) and Nicolas Otamendi (sore throat) a rest from training on Thursday, but the two are expected to be back in defence for Saturday’s clash against Venezuela.
Romelu Lukaku scored two second-half goals as Belgium’s much-vaunted attack finally sprang to life after a disappointing display in the opening 2-0 loss to Italy. “Otherwise I would have stayed home watching this tournament on TV”, he said late on Friday, adding that he had never been to Boston – or north of Miami, for that matter.
Messi said: “Venezuela is a complicated rival”. Leonel Messi and Erik Lamela round out the scoring for the Albiceleste.
Arquimedes Figuera was ruled to have taken the ball rather than, as replays suggested, bundling Messi over in the penalty area and Wilker Angel blocked Higuain’s shot. They had an incredible pass from Messi, and they scored. After a two years in a row finishing second, their team is more than ready to prove they are the best.
But overall Dudamel was pleased with Venezuela’s performance in a tournament that included wins over Jamaica and Uruguay and a draw with Mexico.
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“Of course it was not the end we wanted or imagined, but we dealt with a selection that is the number one ranking”.
