Sports: Messi guides Argentina to final

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Puerto Ordaz (Venezuela), July 12: Lionel Messi scored abreathtaking goal, arguably the best of the tournament, as Argentinabeat Mexico 3-0 in the Copa America semi-final.

Collecting a pass from Carlos Tevez, Messi spotted goalkeeperOswaldo Sanchez off his line and chipped the ball into the net to scoreArgentina's second as they set up a final against old rivals Brazil.

The 61st-minute goal, which came as Mexico were pressing for anequaliser, turned the game and Juan Riquelme Roman added a third from acontroversial penalty, his fifth goal of the tournament.

Defender Gabriel Heinze had put Argentina ahead on the stroke ofhalftime with his second international goal as the favourites kept upan average of over three goals per game yesterday.

Mexico, with coach Hugo Sanchez celebrating his 49th birthday,made a fight of it and twice hit the woodwork in an enthralling game.
Mexico, 6-0 conquerers of Paraguay in their quarter-final, made alively start and nearly went ahead in the 18th minute when AndresGuardado, free on the left, cut inside his marker and hit the outsideof 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.

Argentina broke through in the 45th minute when another Riquelmefreekick found Heinze, who hooked the ball past Sanchez with his leftfoot.

Mexico were again unlucky in the 55th minute when Fernando Arcesplit the Argentina defence and found Nery Castillo, whose shot hit thecrossbar.


























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