Messi, Higuain lead Argentina’s rout of Venezuela; USMNT up next in Copa semis

The U.S. national team’s wait to learn their 2016 Copa America Centenario semifinals opponent was long — nearly 48 hours since the Yanks toppled Ecuador on Thursday — but it’s finally over.

The answer: as expected, Lionel Messi and Angel di Maria and Sergio Aguero and Gonzalo Higuain and Javier Mascherano and the rest of Argentina.

Saturday’s quarterfinal between the 14-time Copa America winners and Venezuela was over not long after it started, with La Albiceleste going ahead in the eighth minute via the lethal Messi-to-Higuain connection. It’s hard to say whether the pass from Messi, or the first-time finish from Higuain, is the better part of this goal, so we’ll say they’re equally great.

Gonzalo Higuain opened the scoring early after a peach of a ball from Leo Messi 👀. #ARGvVEN #MyCopaColors https://t.co/bmtWfkSZ6M

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 18, 2016

Gonzalo Higuain's second of the night inside 30 minutes gives Argentina a 2-goal cushion. #ARGvVEN #MyCopaColors https://t.co/C1Vy4EZm2W

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 18, 2016

Venezuela weren’t without chances of their own prior to halftime — Salomon Rondon was denied by a spectacular Sergio Romero save in the 34th minute, and again by the post when his header clanged off the woodwork six minutes later. Then Venezuela were awarded a penalty, which ended as badly as any penalty ever taken. When Panenka-ing goes wrong…

Is this the worst Panenka penalty attempt ever? #ARGvVEN #MyCopaColors https://t.co/YGzpgwJ31u

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 19, 2016

Lionel Messi bagged the 54th goal of his international career, tying Gabriel Batistuta’s all-time record for the Argentine national team. Much like Higuain’s second, Venezuela made it far too easy for a player of Messi’s quality, as he latched onto the ball inside the penalty area, walked toward the six-yard box and finished without a care in the world.

Leo Messi moves level with Gabriel Batistuta as Argentina's all-time leading goalscorer. #ARGvVEN #MyCopaColors https://t.co/gKnUDYVtDG

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 19, 2016

What followed shortly after were two goals, one for either side, in the span of barely a minute. Rondon succesffully pulled a goal back for Venezuela in the 70th minute, but Erik Lamela restored the three-goal lead in the 71st. “Game on” lasted all of 60 seconds. Final score: Argentina 4-1 Venezuela.

Argentina will face Jurgen Klinsmann’s USMNT in the first of two Copa America semifinals Tuesday night (9 p.m. ET) in Houston, Tex.

CREDIT TO:http://soccer.nbcsports.com/2016/06/18/all-you-need-is-love-beautiful-unity-as-orlando-city-sc-take-the-field/