Messi’s best input ‘singing national anthem’… but Argentina team-mates carry him to Copa America semi-finals with win over Venezuela

LIONEL MESSI’S biggest contribution in the 2-0 Copa America quarter-finals win over Venezuela was  believed to be singing the national anthem. But his stunning wife Antonella Roccuzzo cheered on his bea nevertheless as Giovanni Lo Celso and Lautaro Martinez set up Lionel Scaloni’s men for a blockbuster semi-finals clash with Brazil. Argentina failed to impress […]

LIONEL MESSI’S biggest contribution in the 2-0 Copa America quarter-finals win over Venezuela was  believed to be singing the national anthem.

But his stunning wife Antonella Roccuzzo cheered on his bea nevertheless as Giovanni Lo Celso and Lautaro Martinez set up Lionel Scaloni’s men for a blockbuster semi-finals clash with Brazil.

Getty Images - Getty

Getty Images - Getty

Reuters

Argentina failed to impress at the beginning of the Copa America, losing 2-0 to Colombia in the opening game before drawing 1-1 with Paraguay.

But they triumphed in their win-or-go-home game against Qatar and advanced to the quarter-finals to face Rafael Dudamel’s side, who had not lost a game during the tournament.

Venezuela were once drubbed 11-0 by Argentina in the 1975 Copa America, but they have made remarkable advances in recent years despite a backdrop of political turmoil.

But despite Messi being invisible again, Scaloni’s men came out victorious at the famous Maracana, where they lost 1-0 to Germany during the 2014 World Cup final.

South American journalists joked that the only good thing the Barcelona star did today was “sing the anthem”.

But Striker Martinez took matters into his own hands and scored from a back heel kick after 10 minutes, deflecting a shot by Sergio Aguero from the edge of the box to open the scoring.

Scaloni’s side had to weather a series of attacks from Venezuela in the second half.

And it took a strong save from Franco Armani to prevent Ronald Hernandez from levelling.

But Paris Saint-Germain ace Lo Celso then doubled the lead in the 74th after coming on the pitch just minutes before.

He pushed the ball into the empty net after another shot from Aguero squirmed through the hands of Venezuela goalkeeper Wuilker Farinez.

Lo Celso sealead Argentina’s win in front of 50,000 fans, with the Argies are now set to fight Brazil for a spot in the final.

The Samba Boys advanced to the semis earlier today after beating Paraguay in a penalty shoot-out.

AP:Associated Press

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