Argentina were heavy favorites against Venezuela Saturday, and they showed why in their play. La Albiceleste dominated and won 4-1.
Before the game, we couldn't help but feel this game might get ugly, and it did, because Argentina are really good, and they have the best player in the world.
Early in the game, physics-bending space person Lionel Messi sent a perfect ball to Gonzalo Higuain, who deposited one of those "how the hell did he hit that out if the air first-time and actually kick it where he meant to kick it" finishes into the back of the net. Messi puts such crazy bend on the ball you need a physics degree to be able to explain it.
Whenever Venezuela had the ball, Argentina's players were super aggressive in the passing lanes, jumping even if they didn't have much chance at getting the ball and hoping the players behind them could keep Venezuela contained (they could). When they did get the ball, they were gone, and a fast-moving counterattack with three or four of the best offensive players in the world is bad news for any defense.
Higuain's second goal wasn't as amazing as the first, in that mortals might be able to replicate it. He put himself in the right position to jump on a bad Venezuela back-pass and finished.
Of course, Argentina were playing, so Messi scored. With the goal, Messi tied Gabriel Batistuta as Argentina's all-time leading scorer with 54 goals.
Venezuela looked like they might have some hope when they cut it to 3-1, but Erik Lamela added Argentina's fourth like 30 seconds later.
Messi and friends will face the USA on Tuesday to see who (likely Argentina) goes to the Copa America final.
Contact The18 Staff Writer Sam Klomhaus at Klomhaus@The18.com or follow him on Twitter @SamKlomhaus
