Copa America Quarterfinal
Result: Argentina 4-1 Venzuela
Venue: Gillette Stadium
A brace from Gonzalo Higuain inspired Argentina to a 4-1 win over Venezuela and secured their spot in the Copa America semi-finals.
Messi was handed his first start of the competition and it didn't take him long to make an impact, as his ball over the top found Higuain, who fired a first-time effort past Dani Hernandez in the eighth minute.
Higuain bagged his second goal after 28 minutes. The Napoli striker pounced on a poor back, before rounding Hernandez to slot into an empty net.
Venezuela were presented with a chance to reduce the score in the 41st minute when they were awarded a penalty. However, Luis Manuel Seijas stepped up and saw his spot-kick saved by Sergio Romero.
Argentina extended their advantage on the hour-mark, as Messi played a neat one-two with Nicolas Gaitan, before calmly slotting the ball through Hernandez's legs.
The Venzuelans eventually pulled one back 10 minutes later, as Salomon Rondon rose well to send a towering header past Romero, after getting on the end of Alejandro Guerra's cross.
However, La Albiceleste rounded off the scoring a minute later when Erik Lamela lacthed onto a fine pass from Messi, before squeezing the ball under Hernandez from close range, 4-1.
Argentina will now face Copa America hosts, USA in the semi-finals.
