Argentina vs. Panama: Score, Reaction from 2016 Copa America

Argentina scored four second-half goals, with three of them coming from Lionel Messi off the bench, as it defeated Panama 5-0 in Copa America Group D play on Friday at Soldier Field in Chicago.

ESPN FC took to Twitter after the match came to a conclusion:

Messi has seen hardly any action during the tournament but came on in the 61st minute with Argentina up 1-0. After seven minutes on the pitch, Messi scored his first goal to give his side a two-score lead.

Nearly 10 minutes later, Messi struck again, this time on a free kick, via Fox Soccer:

Messi's dagger came 10 minutes later with Panama playing with only 10 men. It was another goal for the highlight reel, via Fox Soccer:

Sergio Aguero tacked on one more score in stoppage time to seal the deal.

Messi, who came on for Augusto Fernandez, immediately changed the complexion of the match once he stepped onto the pitch. The three goals also helped him inch closer to the top spot on Argentina's goal-scorers list, per ESPN Stats & Info:

The Argentines had a scare in the first half, when Angel Di Maria suffered an injury and had to exit the match.

Di Maria has had trouble completing tournaments in the past, and Kevin McCauley of SB Nation thought this was another bad sign for the veteran:

"

Angel Di Maria will never finish an international tournament

— Kevin McCauley (@kevinmccauley) June 11, 2016"

That might have been the reason for manager Gerardo Martino to unleash Messi, which had been unnecessary up to that point. Nevertheless, Argentina put on a clinic from start to finish.

Panama controlled possession for only 28 percent of the match and had only three shots on goal. Not only did Argentina control the ball for nearly three-fourths of the match, but it also took advantage of more opportunities than Panama did. Panama's chances to advance took a severe hit because of the goal differential.

Messi's emergence showed how deadly he and Argentina can be at full strength. Di Maria's injury could be problematic if he's out for long, but Argentina's talent is still leaps and bounds better than that of any of the other teams remaining in the tournament.

Argentina, which secured a spot in the knockout round with the win, will face Bolivia on Tuesday, while Panama and Chile, who have three points apiece, will battle for second place in Group D.