Argentina Trounces US, Moves on to Copa America Final

Argentina soundly defeated the United States 4 to 0 in a highly uneven game that saw the Argentine squade completely dominate the pitch.

With a stunning goal in the 31st minute, Lionel Messi became the top scorer in Argentina's history, with a record 55 goals while playing for his country. 

The United States team was unable to contain the Argentine attack and failed to get a single shot on goal. 

Argentina had possession of the ball 67 percent of the time.

The South American team had a scare in the 62nd minute of the match with Ezequiel Lavezzi taking a hard fall after trying to head the ball and flipping over backwards over signage on the side of the pitch.

He was taken off the pitch by medical staff and reports indicate he has an injury to his right wrist.

Argentina has made it to the final of the Copa America on four other occasions, last winning the tournament in 1993. 

Match Preview: Argentina vs US

Argentina and the United States face off Tuesday night in the first semifinal match of the Copa America.

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The U.S. hosts of the tournament have already exceeded expectations and are the last team from the Concacaf federation still left in the tournament.

But the North Americans face an immense challenge in Argentina and its star, Lionel Messi, who has scored four goals in three games.

The U.S. team is expected to concentrate on Messi and try to prevent him from working his magic on the pitch. However, Argentine coach Gerardo Martino is confident that his star will be able to handle whatever is thrown at him.

Martino noted that Messi successfully worked around Bolivia's man-to-man defense and the team defense practiced by Venezuela.

Although Argentina is the clear favorite, the Argentine coach said the U.S. squad should not be underestimated.

Martino praised the performance of the U.S. team during the first half of their match against Ecuador, saying he hopes to avoid a repeat of that.

He added that, based on that game, the U.S. would likely prove to be their toughest rival to date.

The U.S. will be forced to field three new players after Bobby Wood and Alejandro Bedoya received two warnings in previous matches and Jermaine Jones was expelled in the match against Ecuador.

Argentina, meanwhile, will be without Nicolas Gaitan and Angel Di Maria.