Copa America: Lionel Messi reacts to semi-final showdown with Brazil

What's the story?

Lionel Messi and Argentina managed to overcome a stubborn Venezulea 2-0 yesterday to book a place in the Copa America semi-finals where they are set to face tournament hosts and favorites Brazil.

Goals from Lautaro Martinez and Giovani Lo Celso helped the Albiceleste progress to the final four, despite not controlling the game as they would have liked. Argentina, under new manager Lionel Scaloni have been lacklustre at best and should consider themselves lucky to have made it thus far.

In case you didn't know...

Despite repeated trophy success with his club side Barcelona, Argentine talisman Lionel Messi has failed to replicate the same at international level, losing three major finals in succession - the 2014 FIFA World Cup final to Germany and the 2015 Copa America and 2016 Copa America Centenario finals, both times to Chile.

Argentina had a terrible start to this Copa America, losing their first game 2-0 against Colombia. The Albiceleste showed no major improvement in the second game, with Paraguay restricting them to a 1-1 scoreline. An underwhelming 2-0 victory against minnows Qatar enabled them to qualify for the quarter-finals as the second placed team in Group B.

O 🇨🇱 venceu a 🇨🇴 nos pênaltis no terceiro jogo das quartas de final da @CONMEBOL #CopaAmerica e agora aguarda as semifinais para conhecer seu próximo adversário: 🇺🇾 ou 🇵🇪. pic.twitter.com/a3y3huDTSO

— Copa América (@CopaAmerica) June 29, 2019

The heart of the matter

Messi has had an underwhelming tournament by his usual high standards, having scored only once and that too via a penalty. The Barcelona and Argentina captain is also yet to record an assist in the tournament after four games.

As reported by Fox Sports, speaking on the upcoming clash against Brazil, Messi said:

“Brazil has to be respected, they have reached this stage in the competition after having done very well so far. We are also trying to give our all in every game. Luckily things are going well.

Everything is very equal, but we know it will be difficult because they are the home side and they will be in front of their fans. They got an extra day to prepare as well. Still, it will be an even match, as we have our own set of skilled players.

🏆 @CopaAmerica ⚽️ @Argentina 🇦🇷 2 (Lautaro Martínez y Giovani Lo Celso) - #Venezuela 🇻🇪 0¡Final del partido en el Maracaná! #VamosArgentina 💪 pic.twitter.com/THDYRpMCOO

— Selección Argentina 🇦🇷 (@Argentina) June 28, 2019

What's next?

Brazil will face Argentina in the first semi-final of the Copa America on Wednesday, 6:00 AM IST. Chile will face the winners of today's quarterfinal between Uruguay and Peru, in the second semi-final match.