Lionel Messi has become Argentina’s outright top goalscorer, breaking the record of 54 strikes set by Gabriel Batistuta.
The Barcelona superstar netted the 55th goal of his international career with a sensational free-kick in Tuesday’s Copa America semi-final victory over the United States.
In the 32nd minute, Messi stepped up for the dead ball around 25 yards from goal, striking into the top left corner of the net to beat a straining Brad Guzan.
His brilliant effort took the scoreline to 2-0 following an early opener from Ezequiel Lavezzi. Gonzalo Higuain extended the lead in the second period with a brace, the latter of which was assisted by Messi, sealing a 4-0 triumph in Houston.
Captain Messi is aiming to lead his nation to their 15th Copa America title. Their victory of 1993 remains their most recent in any senior tournament, having since finished as beaten finalists in the World Cup once and the Copa America on three occasions.
Messi began the Centenario edition of the tournament on a half-century of goals for La Albiceleste, with his chances of breaking the record hampered by an injury.
That forced him to miss Group D’s opening match – a 2-1 win over reigning champions Chile – and Messi was also not risked from the start against Panama.
However, Messi chased down the the tally of ‘Batigol’ – who ended his international career after the 2002 World Cup, finishing 20 goals ahead of Diego Maradona in Argentina’s all-time rankings – with relative ease.
Manager Gerardo Martino substituted the No.10 on in the second half against Panama to great effect, as he netted a 19-minute hat-trick which included a wonderful free-kick.
In the quarter-finals, Messi matched Batistuta’s record in the impressive 4-1 win over a spirited Venezuela side.
The bearded skipper terrorised the opposition defence – leaving him on the receiving end of countless fouls – and weaved his magic to notch one brilliant assist for Gonzalo Higuain, in addition to his own milestone strike.
Argentina are looking to end their 23-year trophy drought at the tournament, and thanks to Messi’s brilliance are well on their way to back-to-back Copa finals.
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