Chicago: Lionel Messi scored three
goals in a dazzling second-half display in his return from a back injury, and
Argentina beat Panama 5-0 on Friday night to clinch a spot in the knockout
round of the Copa America Centenario.
Messi replaced Augusto Fernandez in
the 61st minute, drawing a big ovation from a sea of No. 10 Argentina jersey
wearing fans and the familiar colors of Barcelona, his club team. A few minutes
later, the five-time FIFA Player of the Year got right back to work.
First, Roderick Miller’s clearing
attempt for Panama went off Gonzalo Higuain’s hands as he went to protect his
face and right to Messi, who took a couple dribbles and then beat Jaime Penedo on
the ground to the goaltender’s right side. Then Messi sent a curling free kick
into the top left corner of the goal in the 78th minute, making it 3-0 and
drawing gasps from the crowd at the home of the NFL’s Chicago Bears.
A rare U.S. appearance for Messi
attracted a crowd of 53,885, easily cruising past the attendance of 39,642 for
the United States' 4-0 victory against Costa Rica on Tuesday night. The fans
chanted "Messi! Messi!" at a couple of points in the first half and
cheered loudly whenever he was shown on the videoboard.
In between a steady stream of
first-half whistles and yellow cards, top-ranked Argentina showed off some of
the fancy passing that makes it one of the favorites to take home South
America’s championship. Panama competed hard, but played with 10 men after
Anibal Godoy received his second yellow in the 31st minute.
The Copa America 2016 is the 45th
edition of the tournament.
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