The Lionel Messi Show: On-Fire Argentina Down USMNT to Make Copa America Final

Just when you think Lionel Messi cannot possibly get any better, he goes straight out and proves otherwise. The Argentina star put in yet another display of the highest quality to down the United States 4-0 and send the Albiceleste strolling into the Copa America Centenario final. 

The hundredth edition of the world's longest-running international competition lends itself to a history lesson or two. And few players have made as much history in recent years as the Barcelona superstar, for whom the entire sport of football seems to be an exercise in breaking down the realms of possibility. 

Argentina started with a throwback to the 1994 World Cup—the last major tournament disputed in the U.S. Just seven minutes in, Messi's perfectly weighted pass found Ezequiel Lavezzi alone and the forward— drafted in as a replacement for the suspended Nicolas Gaitan—nodded in to break home resistance at the first attempt. 

Lavezzi chose to pay homage to one Diego Maradona, who, 22 years ago to the day, netted his 32nd and last goal for the country against Greece. Pocho's imitation of the great's wild-eyed gesticulation to the cameras summed up this team—immensely powerful, but at the same time blessed with the pure enjoyment of playing the game. 

OMAR TORRES/Getty Images

Wednesday, meanwhile marks the 30th anniversary of the game that made Diego an idol: the Hand of God, the Goal of the Century and the joy of a nation as England went down on the way to the 1986 World Cup. The Argentina team that went out against the U.S. seemed modelled on that side Carlos Bilardo built, subconsciously or not. 

Taking a page out of his predecessor's playbook, Gerardo Martino employed a flexible 4-3-3 formation that during the first half especially resembled Bilardo's 3-5-2. Javier Mascherano settled in between centre-backs Nicolas Otamendi and Ramiro Funes Mori, allowing the wide men to push forward into midfield.

Messi, meanwhile, was left in Maradona's free role, and it proved a devastating change of pace for the U.S., who were never better than a distant second in Houston. La Pulga pulled the strings along with Ever Banega in the middle of the pitch, and the Albiceleste took a dominant 67.8 percent of possession in a complete display. 

Most damning for Jurgen Klinsmann's men was the fact that over the entire 90 minutes they did not muster a single shot; and while part of that was by virtue of a sterling performance across the pitch from their opponents, they must do better with an eye to a respectable showing in Russia two years from now. 

The next figure from Argentina's history to make an appearance was Gabriel Batistuta, who after 12 years finally saw his goalscoring record with the Seleccion pass into new hands. Of course, Messi being Messi, it would not just be enough to set a new milestone like other mere mortals.

An absolutely astounding free-kick, unstoppable for any keeper in the world, marked goal No. 55 in international colours, and Bati's assertions to Ole that his compatriot was "from another planet" (h/t Goal) received further confirmation. 

Perhaps the greatest compliment one could pay this Argentina team, though, is that Messi's brilliance finally has the collective backdrop that was so dearly lacking in 2014 and last year. The team has taken time to jell in the U.S., with the first games against Chile and Panama lacking in that respect. But they have gone from strength to strength, with a flawless 90 minutes the best yet of the Copa. 

Lavezzi turned provider after half-time with another fantastic Argentinian assist, with Gonzalo Higuain the happy recipient on the second try. Higuain then extended his tally thanks to a dreadful mix-up at the back from the USMNT. 

FREDERIC J. BROWN/Getty Images

Giving the ball gift-wrapped to Messi on the edge of the area is never going to be a good idea, and the Argentina captain sold his dummy to perfection before squaring for Higuain. Guzan had already committed himself and had no chance to keep out Pipita's second of the evening. 

Shades of 1994, shades of 1986, Batistuta's record shattered; and now an even longer-standing mark. With three goals or more in their last four Copa outings, Argentina are on their best run since way back in 1957, when the Angels with Dirty Faces, Oreste Corbatta, Humberto Maschio, Omar Sivori and Antonio Angelillo, romped to victory in the then-South American Championship. 

With 18 goals in their first five games, the 2016 Albiceleste are unlikely to match those idols and their 25 strikes from 59 years past unless something truly special happens in the final. But the mere sight of an Argentina team approaching a major final with verve, adventure and unlimited attacking spirit is a vindication of the ideals Martino has espoused throughout his time as coach, while often struggling to see them reflected on the pitch. 

The only concerns remaining in the Albiceleste camp at this point come from the medical room. Both Augusto Fernandez and Marcos Rojo were withdrawn early due to injury complaints, although at first glance the pair seem likely to resume normal activities promptly. 

The same cannot be said for Lavezzi, who hurt his arm in bizarre circumstances falling over an advertising hoarding on the side of the pitch. A dislocated elbow will keep Pocho out of the final—a sad end for a player who did everything asked of him in the games he played. 

Chile and Colombia now clash in the second semi, but either of those sides will have been watching with trepidation on Tuesday. Argentina gave a footballing masterclass in Houston, and with Messi at the helm, they must make the third time lucky this time round.