Copa America 2016: USA 0-4 Argentina - Five Talking Points
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.
#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.