HOUSTON — Argentina moved a step closer to breaking its 23-year-drought without a major title, and for all the skill the Albiceleste showed in dominating the U.S. national team in Tuesday's 4-0 victory, Lionel Messi came away more impressed with the overall effort the team showed.
“This group deserves it because we’ve worked hard and we’ve done things really well since the first game against a tough rival like Chile,” Messi said. “We’ve been growing through the Copa, both offensively and defensively, improving because we have a real desire for this title and respect for this tournament.”
"The truth is I’m happy to be able to return to another final," he added. "A third final in a row. We can now say it’s been three in a row. What this group has done is impressive. Hopefully we can finish it with a win because we deserve it."
COPA AMERICA: Messi's incredible free kick | USA outclassed by Argentina
Argentina has rolled through this Copa America in dominating fashion, and Messi credits the team's experience in last year's Copa America in Chile — which concluded with a heartbreaking penalty shootout loss to Chile in the final — with helping the team grow.
"You learn from everything," Messi said. "It’s been almost a year since the last Copa America, and think that made us stronger as a group, and as a team. We grew a lot, in a lot of ways, and above all, even though we didn’t win, it helped us.”
The Americans had few answers for Messi or Argentina, which opened the scoring just three minutes in when Messi set up an Ezequiel Lavezzi opener with a sublime chip pass. The Americans were on their heels for most of the night after that terrible start, as Argentina continued to control throughout.
“The way the game went, with the fast early goal, and the early second goal as well, we found the path to have more of the ball and circulate it," Messi said. "I think we played a complete game."
Complete is the only way to describe a match that saw Argentina limit the U.S. to zero shots, while holding a 67-33 edge in possession percentage and completing a jaw-dropping 93 percent of its 625 passes.
The moment of the night had to be Messi's, with his 30-yard free kick goal that helped him surpass Gabriel Batistuta as Argentina's all-time leading goal scorer.
"I was analyzing it and wanted to get a good stance so I wouldn’t slip on the run-up, then I saw the wall and saw where the goalkeeper stood and decided where to put it," Messi said of his goal. "I’m happy to be there, and to achieve the record, but we’re here for something else."
Argentina is hoping to achieve the glory that has eluded it in recent years. After losing to Germany in extra time of the 2014 World Cup and to Chile in penalty kicks in last year's Copa America final, Argentina is poised to lift the country's first major title since the 1993 Copa America.
Argentina will be considered the favorite, regardless of which semifinalist emerges from Wednesday's Copa America semifinal between Chile and Colombia,
"In a final you either win or you lose, but to be in three finals in a row deserves a lot of credit," Messi said. "Hopefully we can win this one."
- Goal