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PUERTO ORDAZ, Venezuela, July 11 - Lionel Messi
scored a breathtaking goal, arguably the best of the
tournament, as Argentina beat Mexico 3-0 in their Copa America
semi-final on Wednesday.
Collecting a pass from Carlos Tevez, Messi spotted
goalkeeper Oswaldo Sanchez off his line and chipped the ball
delicately into the net to score Argentina's second as they set
up a final against old rivals Brazil.
The 61st-minute goal, which came as Mexico were pressing
for an equaliser, turned the game and Juan Riquelme Roman added
a third from a controversial penalty, his fifth goal of the
tournament.
Defender Gabriel Heinze had put Argentina ahead on the
stroke of halftime with his second international goal as the
favourites kept up an average of over three goals per game.
"Only a genius could do this," said Argentina coach Alfio
Basile of Messi's effort.
Mexico, with coach Hugo Sanchez celebrating his 49th
birthday, made a fight of it. They had slightly the better of
the first 40 minutes and twice hit the woodwork in an
enthralling game.
"We tried but the opponents were superior," said Sanchez as
Mexico, beaten 2-1 by Argentina in last year's World Cup
secound round, lost to the same opponents again.
CHAVEZ PREDICTION
Earlier, Venezuela president Hugo Chavez, who counts
Argentina as a close ally and has frosty ties with Mexico, had
predicted an Argentina victory.
"With Argentina surely going to win today, we will have an
amazing final to crown the tournament," he said.
Mexico, 6-0 conquerers of Paraguay in their quarter-final,
made a lively start and nearly went ahead in the 18th minute
when Andres Guardado, free on the left, cut inside his marker
and hit the outside of the post.
Argentina, meanwhile, looked dangerous whenever Riquelme
got the ball.
The elegant number 10 floated over a free kick which eluded
goalkeeper Sanchez and found Roberto Ayala, whose shot was
blocked. Then he sent Tevez clear, but his effort was again
saved.
KILLER BLOW
Argentina broke through in the 45th minute when another
Riquelme freekick found Heinze, who hooked the ball past
Sanchez with his left foot.
Mexico were again unlucky in the 55th minute when Fernando
Arce split the Argentina defence and found Nery Castillo, whose
shot hit the crossbar.
Argentina struck the killer blow when Heinze opened up
Mexico's defence with a crossfield pass to Tevez, who laid it
off to Messi who scored his gem.
Five minutes later, Tevez went down in the area and,
although replays showed he fell before any contact was made, a
penalty was awarded. Riquelme nonchalantly chipped the ball in
for his fifth goal of the tournament.
Messi nearly scored again when he forced his way past two
defenders but curled his shot wide in injury-time.