Argentina advanced to the finals of the Copa America for the second year in a row with a comfortable 4 - 0 victory over the United States in the semi-finals of the ongoing South American football championship in Houston on Tuesday.

Argentina captain Lionel Messi was too much too handle for the opposition as he got himself a goal and provided two assists to become the country's all-time goal scorer.

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The Barcelona forward scored a sublime free kick in the 32nd minute to claim his 55th international goal and break the record previously held by Gabriel Batistuta.

Messi's side took just three minutes to open the scoring as Ezequiel Lavezzi netted a goal set up by the five-time world player of the year. The former Paris Saint-Germain player will be forced to miss the Copa America final after he fractured his arm during an awkward fall over an advertising board in the second half.

Shortly after the half-hour mark, Messi scored the inch-perfect free kick past Brad Guzan to double Argentina's lead before heading into the interval.

In the second half, the United States' defenders couldn't contain Gonzalo Higuain as he scored two goals; one in the 50th minute and another in the 86th minute, finishing off a pass from his team's captain to end USA's title hopes.

Argentina, who finished in second place at last year's Copa America, will be looking to win their first major title in 23 years when they face either Chile or Colombia on Sunday in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

Check out the highlights from the semi-finals below:

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