Chile, who beat Argentina in the Copa America final a year ago, await them after goals from Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Charles Aranguiz and Jose Pedro Fuenzalida were enough to defeat Colombia 2-0.
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Messi had been chopped down by Chris Wondolowski 25 yards from goal as he burst forward and the ensuing strike moved him clear of previous record holder Gabriel Batistuta’s 54 goal tally.
“I made an error in the moment, with the final so close”.
“We know Chile, it is a very complete selection and therefore is again in the final”, the Argentina number 10 said. The semifinal that took place in Chicago saw fans evacuated due to extreme weather over the stadium.
“We’re feeling very well, very excited and raring to play this game”.
Argentina are out to clinch their first continental title since 1993, this time in a rematch against the same side that beat them on penalties in last year’s final.
“You learn all the time”, said Messi, who turned 29 on Friday.
After making his debut in 2004 aged 17, Messi has scored 312 goals in 348 appearances, becoming Barcelona’s, and La Liga’s, all-time highest scoring player.
Argentina’s wins at this summer’s competition have been achieved by an aggregate scoreline of 18-2 and serve to stretch their winning streak to nine consecutive victories.
Di Maria, nicknamed “Fideo” (noodle), is desperate not to lose out on the East Rutherford showcase after missing the 2014 World Cup final through injury and having to come off after half an hour of last year’s Copa America decider in Chile.
“When you concede a goal after three minutes against such a team… that’s when you’ve already lost your mental battle”, Klinsmann lamented.
A dynamic, combative midfield led by Bayern Munich star Arturo Vidal will ensure that Argentina’s skilled attackers such as Messi, Nicolas Gaitan and Ever Banega have nothing like the freedom to operate they have enjoyed so far.
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Klinsmann, who hasn’t been shy about scheduling big-name opponents in friendly matches, spoke about the need for the USA and other CONCACAF teams to measure themselves against traditional powers like Argentina and Brazil and Colombia in order to improve.
