Gap between US and world elites evident in loss to Argentina

Lionel Messi became Argentina’s record goalscorer as his country reached the final of the Copa America with an emphatic 4-0 win against the United States.

The five-time world player of the year scored in the 32nd minute of the match in Houston to give Argentina a 2-0 lead.

“This was the goal when we got here, to play another final, and we made it”, Messi said.

“I owe it to them”.

Argentina lost both of those finals in agonising fashion, suffering an extra-time defeat to Germany in the World Cup final and losing on penalties against hosts Chile in Santiago previous year.

In his post-match news conference, Argentina head coach Gerardo Martino highlighted his team’s performance, calling it one of their best thus far during the current edition of the Copa America.

“The more often we can play this caliber of team, the more we’re going to learn and the more the players will be confident to take them on”, he added. The pressure mounted on the Yanks slightly after the hour mark as the Barcelona maestro struck an impeccable free-kick into the top-corner, before a double from Higuain in the second-half completed the rout. Set up slightly left of the goal, he curled one over the wall and toward’s the right corner-the keeper’s side-with such venom that American keeper Brad Guzan was just helpless.

Hosting a special, expanded 16-nation edition of South America’s championship to celebrate Copa America’s 100th anniversary, the US won a hard group that included third-ranked Colombia and then beat No. 13 Ecuador in the quarterfinals.

Meanwhile, USA where without three first-team regulars – Jermaine Jones, Bobby Wood and Alejandro Bedoya, who were suspended for the semi-final, however their replacement’s – Graham Zusi, Chris Wondolowski and Kyle Beckerman where not able to hold Lionel Messi and his teammates.

Argentina also had one change forced upon them as the suspended Nicolas Gaitan was replaced by Lavezzi in the starting XI.

Lavezzi later left the match with an apparent arm injury after a scary fall over the signboards surrounding the pitch.

Five minutes into the half, Gonzalo Higuaín makes it 3-0 opening his scoring account on the second chance opportunity. Ultimately, as time goes on a little bit, I think we can take a lot of positives from the tournament.

However, Klinsmann – whose position is likely to come under renewed scrutiny following Tuesday’s loss – said his players had not been disgraced.