Argentina and Chile have reached the semifinals of the Copa America 2016 after some terrific performance in their quarterfinals clashes against Venezuela and Mexico, respectively. Argentina looked superb, winning their match 4-1, but Chile lookd even better in the 7-0 thrashing of Mexico.
Chile played their best football of Copa America 2016 against Mexico, sending wanring signs at the business end of the competition. Such a 7-0 loss is suprising for Mexico, as they have been impressive under Juan Carlos Osorio, who lost his first match as their manager.
Chile were always a huge threat going forward, with players like Alexis Sanchez, Eduardo Vargas and Alturo Vidal in their line-up. Vargas was in sensational goal-scoring form, netting four in the match, and Edson Puch scored a brace while Sanchez found the net once.
Chile looked brilliant right from the start, with Puch scoring the first goal in the 16th minute, and thereon, there was no stopping Chile, as they scored three goals in the first half. Mexico were stunned with the individual brilliance of Vargas, who threatened to score every time he had the ball.
They looked equally dangerous in the second half as well, scoring four goals, leading to one of their best victories. With such a win under their belt, they head into the semifinals with immense confidence. Chile face Colombia in the semifinals. Another Argentina vs Chile final may be on the cards as well.
Argentina got off to a brilliant start in their match against Venezuela, with Napoli striker Gonzalo Higuain helping his team take an early lead in the eighth minute. The credit for the first goal also needs to be given to Lionel Messi, who found his striker with a sumptuous ball.
Title favourites Argentina kept up the pressure on the Venezuela defence, and were awarded with another goal, as Higuain scored his second of the night in the 28th minute. Venezuela had a strong chance to come back in the second half, as they were awarded a penalty, but Luis Manuel Seijas hit it straight to the goalkeeper, who did not commit to either side of the goal, and fooled the Venezuelan.
Argentina went into half-time with a healthy 2-0 lead and had their eye on the semifinals berth. The game was more or less put to bed by Lionel Messi, who scored his 54th in national colurs, which helped him tie with one of their best strikers, Gabriel Batistusta.
Though Venezuela's Salomon Rondon scored a goal in the 70th minute, giving his team a lifeline, Argentina replied immediately in the next minute as Erik Lamela found the back of the net. The final score read 4-1. Argentina will meet the United States in the semifinals.
