Argentina beat Ecuador 3-0 on Saturday to set themselves up for a Copa America semi-final against Colombia. Lionel Messi scored a free-kick and assisted two goals.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Messi scored a free kick and served up two assists as Argentina beat Ecuador 3-0
• Argentina will face Colombia in the 2nd Copa America semi-final on Tuesday
• Messi scored his second free-kick of the tournament in stoppage time

Lionel Messi scored his 76th international goal and served two assists to help Argentina beat Ecuador 3-0 on Saturday to progress to the semifinals of Copa America. Messi kept his dream of winning his first major international title alive with a starring performance in Argentina’s convincing win over Ecuador.

Argentina’s rival at the Mané Garrincha Stadium on Tuesday will be Colombia, which earlier overcame Uruguay on penalties. The other semifinal will feature defending champions Brazil and Peru.

Messi scored his second free-kick of the tournament in stoppage time to round out a scoreline that was more convincing than the performance. It was his 76th goal for Argentina, taking him to within one of Pele’s South American record.

“I’ve always said that individual prizes are secondary, we’re here for something else,” Messi said. “We have an objective and we’re focused on that.”

“It was a hard match, we know how difficult an opponent they can be. The important thing is we’ve taken another step forward.”

Martinez and German Pezzella both came close in the opening 20 minutes and Hernan Galindez made one superb double save from Nicolas Gonzalez with the score at 1-0.

Messi then set up Martinez to finish clinically five minutes from the end, before stepping up himself to curl home a free kick in stoppage time, after Piero Hincapie hauled down Angel Di Maria and was shown a red card.

Enner Valencia in particular will be angry at himself for sending two glancing headers wide from close in during the first 45 minutes.

Brazil play Peru in the first semi-final 24 hours before