Argentina cruised into the finals of Copa America 2016 for the second straight year as they ousted the hosts USA in a clinical 4-0 demolition. Ezequiel Lavezzi, Lionel Messi and a brace from Gonzalo Higuain ended the American dream in ruthless fashion.
La Albiceleste, heavy favourites for the title, dominated the football game from the early stages itself and went ahead as early as the third minute when Lavezzi was teed up with Messi’s inch-perfect lob. The pressure mounted on the Yanks slightly after the hour mark as the Barcelona maestro struck an impeccable free-kick into the top-corner, before a double from Higuain in the second-half completed the rout.
Argentina will now take on either holders Chile or Colombia in the finals on Sunday as they seek to end a 23-year wait for a major international trophy. Here are some of the major talking points from the first semi-final in Houston.
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#1 Argentina demonstrate why they are the world’s no.1
Ever since it was decided that USA will be contesting Argentina in the semi-finals, there was only one winner. However, few would’ve expected Gerardo Martino’s men to emerge triumphant in such a dominant manner.
Of course, Argentina had all the tools in their armor to blow the hosts away, but USA had laid down the gauntlet with some improved showings after the opening day slump. The home side were driven by their underdog status coming into the fray, and it appeared the match won’t be one-sided as it initially seemed.
And boy how wrong we all were!
Argentina were utterly dominant right from the off and in all departments, there was no way USA could have nipped this one. With Barcelona ace Lionel Messi at the heart of the surge, the Skyblues were head and shoulders above their adversaries and with their third major final in a row, showed why they are ranked no.1 in the world.
#2 History-maker Messi tumbles yet more records
It was a historic day for Argentinian captain Lionel Messi, who not only capped off another startling individual performance, but also rewrote the Argentinian history books by supassing Gabriel Batistuta as his country’s all time leading goal-scorer.
The 28-year old first made his mark in the game with an impeccable assist to Lavezzi’s opener, but the best was yet to come. Argentina won a free-kick slightly after the half-hour mark when John Brooks fouled Gozalo Higuain almost 30 yards out. Messi stepped up to take it and curled brilliantly in the top right corner, well beyond the reach of Brad Guzman to become Albiceleste’s most prolific goalscorer in the history, much to the Reliant stadium’s delirium.
Messi also bagged his second assist of the night by setting up Higuain for a fourth late in the game, but that was merely an icing on the cake as the Barcelona talisman has yet another feather in his already bulging cap.
#3 Kilnsmann gets it all wrong
With Jermaine Jones, Bobby Wood and Alejandro Bedoya all suspended for the semis, Jurgen Klinsmann was forced to make some tactical tweaks again. However this time, the German honcho got it all wrong.
Firstly, he opted to play a 34-year old defensive midifielder Kyle Beckerman as a part of two-man midfield, instead of the more athletic and dynamic Gyasi Zardes. Secondly, his decision to field Chris Wondolowski in the absence of Wood did not yield any dividends. The San Jose Earthquakes star is known for his prowess inside the box, but the issue here was USA could never invade the Argentinian penalty box, which is very evident from the fact that they did not manage a single shot on target in the entire 90 minutes.
Finally, he started Fabian Johnson wide-left thinking he can deputise for the suspended Bedoya. But Klinsmann fell flat on his face as Johnson was totally overshadowed by an impish Messi. The 28-year old may be a good attacker, but certainly isn’t a good defender.
Jurgen Klinsmann showed his tactical nous in the previous game against Ecuador when he made some changes to his starting XI that came to fruition, but against Argentina, his tactics went totally astray.
#4 Absentees really hurt USA
The host were without their three best players in Jermaine Jones, Bobby Wood and Alejandro Bedoya coming into the match, all of whom were suspended. Their absence was certainly going to be felt, but no one would’ve predicted it to be in such a manner.
The Yanks were very below-par in their showings and made it a cakewalk for Argentina. Not to take any credits from them, but USA offered virtually nothing going forward and were also exposed horribly at the back. Klinsmann's changes, as mentioned earlier, did no good, but the players lacked in drive and desire without their usual suspects.
The presence of Jones, Wood and Bedoya may not have made too much of a difference either as Argentina would’ve still made it though, but the Americans might have atleast put up a fight, as without the trio, USA were more like dead men walking.
#5 Argentina should win this for Messi
Another year and another major final, Argentina have romped to the Copa America Centenario finale and the onus is now on them to avoid getting third time lucky. Follwing two back-to-back heart breaks in the 2014 World Cup and 2015 Copa America finals, La Albiceleste have another chance to break their long wait for an interntional trophy, but it wouldn’t mean more to anyone else but their captain fantastic, Lionel Messi.
The Barcelona wizard has lifted every possible trophy with his club, but he is yet to win anything with his country. And after several near misses, the 28-year old stands on the cusp of finally breaking the hoodoo.
Much has been said about his failure to deliver with Argentina, but having performed to his optimal this year, only a trophy will suffice now, and Argentina should collectively come up, like they’ve done so far, in the final regardless of whom they face and win it for their captain.
It’s obviously going to be the otherway round as Messi would give it all to help his side end the trophy drought, but a triumph would mean more special to him than to any other Argentine alive and kicking.
