Messi Free Kick Puts Argentina Ahead

Beating Argentina in the Copa America semifinal on Tuesday night would have been a major coup for the U.S. Men’s National Team.

Having achieved coach Jurgen Klinsmann’s goal of reaching the semifinals seemed outlandish enough. But the UMNT made it, only to find where it truly stands among the world’s great teams and players.

Argentina scored early (and for soccer) often. Lionel Messi set up Argentina’s first goal in the third minute, scored on a free kick and assisted on the final goal of a 4-0 beating in Houston with 70,858 in attendance at NRG Stadium.

The U.S. didn’t have a shot on goal, while Argentina had 11. Argentina controlled possession for 68 percent of the match and advances to the final.

“This was the goal when we got here, to play another final, and we made it,” Messi said. “We’ve been spectacular from day one and we deserved this.”

Let’s not bury the U.S. for one outing. It won Group A, which included No. 3 Colombia, and beat No. 13 Ecuador along the way. It just couldn’t cope with the world’s best player.

By any measure (but this one), the U.S. did well. The team closes out the tournament in the consolation game on Saturday in Glendale, Ariz. Argentina will meet either Chile or Colombia – which play Wednesday night – in the championship match on Sunday in East Rutherford, N.J.
 
 
Post By: Larry Weisman, a longtime sportswriter for USA TODAY, blogs for Twistity.com. Follow him on Twitter @MrLarryWeisman