LIONEL MESSI scored a stunning free-kick to break Gabriel Batistuta’s Argentina goal record and help send Tata Martino’s side to the Copa America final.
The 28-year-old was at his brilliant best against hosts USA, creating two more goals as Argentina romped to a 4-0 win in Houston, Texas.
The free-kick was Messi’s 55th for Argentina, scored in his 112th match, beating Batistuta’s record that had stood since he retired in 2002 – Batistuta managed 54 goals in 78 international games.
The Barcelona superstar, who turns 29 on Friday, said: “I am happy to have surpassed Batistuta’s record and I want to thank my team-mates, it’s theirs as well.”
Argentina will play the winner of Colombia and Chile on Wednesday night.
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Ezequiel Lavezzi opened the scoring after just three minutes, heading home a Messi cross.
It took just 32 minutes for Messi to have his record-breaking goal, his fifth of what has been a masterful showing at the tournament.
Messi swung a free-kick into the top corner, well out of reach of Aston Villa goalkeeper Brad Guzan, who was beaten all ends up.
Higuain added the third shortly after the break but the game was over as a contest after Messi’s stunning strike.
Messi could have had another late on but instead chose to pass to Higuain to score his second with a simple tap-in.
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