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Copa America 2016
Copa America 2016


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 * Lionel Messi leads Argentina into Sunday’s final

 Updated 22 Jun 2016

Bryan Armen Graham
Tue 21 Jun 2016 22.59 EDTFirst published on Tue 21 Jun 2016 20.00 EDT
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Key events
 * 22 Jun 2016
   Full-time: USA 0-4 Argentina
 * 22 Jun 2016
   GOAL! USA 0-4 Argentina (Higuaín, 86 min)
 * 22 Jun 2016
   GOAL! USA 0-3 Argentina (Higuaín, 50 min)
 * 22 Jun 2016
   Half-time: USA 0-2 Argentina
 * 22 Jun 2016
   GOAL! USA 0-2 Argentina (Messi, 32 min)
 * 22 Jun 2016
   GOAL! USA 0-1 Argentina (Lavezzi, 3 min)
 * 22 Jun 2016
   The teams
 * 22 Jun 2016
   The teams


Lionel Messi scores Argentina’s second goal from a free-kick. Photograph: Bob
Levey/Getty Images
View image in fullscreen
Lionel Messi scores Argentina’s second goal from a free-kick. Photograph: Bob
Levey/Getty Images
Bryan Armen Graham
Tue 21 Jun 2016 22.59 EDTFirst published on Tue 21 Jun 2016 20.00 EDT
Share



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LIVE FEED

Key events
 * 22 Jun 2016
   Full-time: USA 0-4 Argentina
 * 22 Jun 2016
   GOAL! USA 0-4 Argentina (Higuaín, 86 min)
 * 22 Jun 2016
   GOAL! USA 0-3 Argentina (Higuaín, 50 min)
 * 22 Jun 2016
   Half-time: USA 0-2 Argentina
 * 22 Jun 2016
   GOAL! USA 0-2 Argentina (Messi, 32 min)
 * 22 Jun 2016
   GOAL! USA 0-1 Argentina (Lavezzi, 3 min)
 * 22 Jun 2016
   The teams
 * 22 Jun 2016
   The teams

Show key events only
Please turn on JavaScript to use this feature

22 Jun 201622.59 EDT


FULL-TIME: USA 0-4 ARGENTINA

And there’s the final whistle. Argentina advance to face the winner of
Wednesday’s match between Colombia and Chile in Sunday’s final. Meanwhile, the
United States will face tomorrow’s loser in Saturday’s third-place match in
Glendale. Let the post-mortems begin.

Share



22 Jun 201622.57 EDT

90 min+2: Argentina just kicking it about the pitch, generally unmolested.

Share

22 Jun 201622.56 EDT

90 min: Three minutes of added time. It will all be over soon.

Share

22 Jun 201622.55 EDT


GOAL! USA 0-4 ARGENTINA (HIGUAÍN, 86 MIN)

An egregiously poor giveaway by the USA in their own third. Easily intercepted
by Messi, who slots a pass to Higuaín, whose clinical finish makes it 4-0.

Share

22 Jun 201622.50 EDT

83 min: Argentina on the counter and it’s Messi leading the charge. He carries
into the area and uncorks a left-footed shot to the far post that forces Guzan
to lay out for a save. It’s out for a corner.

Share

22 Jun 201622.49 EDT

80 min: Dagbe on for Dempsey, the United States’ final sub. As Argentina
continue to turn the screw, here’s a note on the commentary from Matthew, via
email.

> More insightful commentary from Landon Donovan here on the US/Fox broadcast:
> “I’ve always said that goals change games, at 1-0, 2-0...”
> 
> Thanks for that, Landon.
> 
> He might instead have noted that, so far, our only capable fullback has been
> the signboard.

Share

Updated at 22.51 EDT

22 Jun 201622.46 EDT

77 min: The US charge up the right flank and it’s swung in to Pulisic ... who
passes up a shot. Oh well. Quick counter for Argentina but Lamela’s shot is off
target.

Share

22 Jun 201622.42 EDT

74 min: It’s the moral victories.

> Gonna call it a win at this point if the US take a single shot (on target
> preferable but not necessary).
> 
> — Dave Zeitlin (@DaveZeitlin) June 22, 2016

Share


22 Jun 201622.36 EDT

70 min: The scathing indictments keep coming in, this one from Brian Doll, via
email.

> I can’t believe I’m going to say this but I miss the days when the US just sat
> back were organized played tough hard defensive football and looked to nick a
> goal on a set piece. Can’t even string three passes together. Northern Ireland
> looked a million times better against Germany today and I think on paper the
> rosters are pretty even

Oh, those halcyon days. And you’re probably right on the last point.

Share

22 Jun 201622.34 EDT

67 min: The US win their first corner of the match and on comes Lamela for the
injured Lavezzi. Bradley’s corner goes directly into the keeper’s hands and he’d
rid of it quickly and Argentina are on the counter! Messi’s shot is blocked but
it’s out for a corner.

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22 Jun 201622.32 EDT

66 min: Messi is on the charge and tries to slip a through pass to Mascherano in
the area, but he can’t run onto it in time. Meanwhile, Lavezzi is being wheeled
to the locker room and they’ve yet to replace him.

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22 Jun 201622.31 EDT

63 min: Lavezzi leaps to head a ball near the touchline but falls over the
electronic advertising board and, oh dear, it looks like he’s suffered a serious
injury. He was unable to brace himself for the fall. The Argentina players and
the medical staff all sprint over. And out comes a gurney. Fortunately, Lavezzi
by now is on his feet and seems to be examining his wrist.

Share

22 Jun 201622.27 EDT

61 min: Rojo is down and the medical staff is out for treatment. While we wait
for play to resume, a response from Paul Berry, via email.

> In response to Ricky Gill, how dare he insult MLS supporters by saying we rate
> Michael Bradley.

Knives out.

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Updated at 22.28 EDT
22 Jun 201622.26 EDT

60 min: Two switches at the hour mark. For Argentina, Biglia replaces Fernandez.
For the United States, Birnbaum comes on for Beckerman.

Share

22 Jun 201622.25 EDT

56 min: During a stoppage in play, it occurs to me the two best teams in
Concacaf trail by a combined 10-0 scoreline against the two best teams from
Conmebol over the last match and a half.

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22 Jun 201622.18 EDT

52 min: A note from Ricky Gill, via email.

> Michael Bradley has shown today why no one rates him outside of the MLS. Not
> to mention, the Americans have been far happier playing the man than the ball
> and are probably lucky to still have 11 on the field. That being said, I’m
> thoroughly looking forward to more of Messi at work in 2nd half.

Can’t say I disagree on Bradley on tonight’s body of work.

Share


22 Jun 201622.17 EDT


GOAL! USA 0-3 ARGENTINA (HIGUAÍN, 50 MIN)

The ball is sent through to Higuaín alone in the area. Guzan makes a brilliant
save off the initial effort, but the Napoli striker is there to pounce on the
rebound and punch it into the goal. It’s Higuaín’s second goal in three games
and surely the United States are finished now.

Share

Updated at 22.21 EDT
22 Jun 201622.12 EDT

46 min: And we’re off and running in the second half. The youngster Christian
Pulisic replaces Chris Wondolowski for the United States.

> Wondo went as well as literally everyone expected.
> 
> — Tyler Duffy (@tyduffy) June 22, 2016

Share

Updated at 22.13 EDT

22 Jun 201622.10 EDT

Here are some of your thoughts from the first half.

A note from Tony Bellew, hopefully that Tony Bellew, via email:

> That would have been a red card in rugby! An absolute coat hanger on Lavezzi.

Here’s one from Michael Brenner, via email:

> No disgrace for TEAM USA ...
> 
> Using a tennis analogy - when top seed and world’s best Novak Djokovic suits
> up against the 25th ranked player @ Wimbledon - it is just a question of how
> soon the 3 sets will be over. No difference here on the soccer field - TEAM
> USA play to their rankings and no surprise or disgrace for them not to triumph
> over the # 1 seed.

Here’s Barrett Madden, via email:

> Gotta say I disagree on the Guzan/Lavezzi play. I thought Lavezzi deserved
> yellow for endangering our keeper by playing on after the whistle had long
> gone.

And a dissenting view from Sam Abrahams, via email:

> “Looked a bit intentional”????
> 
> That’s a straight red. I mean, a bit of a straight red.
> 
> Enjoy the trouncing :)

Share


22 Jun 201621.55 EDT


HALF-TIME: USA 0-2 ARGENTINA

It’s been all Argentina. Frankly, the 2-0 scoreline flatters the USA, who, yes,
are undermanned, but who also failed to answer the bell. Only 45 minutes in and
we’re already on to the Big Questions.

> Not by creating false expectations in the pregame show. We don't have one
> player that would make Argentina's roster. https://t.co/H5oO6CZsKj
> 
> — Alecko Eskandarian (@alecko11) June 22, 2016

Share


22 Jun 201621.53 EDT

45 min+1: Lavezzi sent through and he’s wide open with only Guzan between him
and the goal but the offside flag is up. Some contact between Guzan and Lavezzi
and the Argentine forward goes down in a heap! Looked a bit intentional by the
frustrated USA keeper but he gets off without a booking.

Share

22 Jun 201621.52 EDT

45 min: One minute of added time.

Share

22 Jun 201621.50 EDT

42 min: Moments after the Argentina corner is cleared, a long ball is sent to
Yedlin and the USA are on a rare trip into the final third. It’s a short one.

Share

22 Jun 201621.46 EDT

40 min: Lavezzi wins a corner off Yedlin and Argentina are pressuring again.

Share

22 Jun 201621.45 EDT

35 min: Chris from Cork dropping truth bombs, via email.

> Dempsey could quite easily have been given a red for that flailing elbow.
> Still, 2-0. Onwards and upwards.

You’re right, Chris. Here’s a look at the play.

> #USAvARG: 27'. Falta de Dempsey sobre Mascherano que se salva de la amarilla
> pic.twitter.com/YtqSC1gNdi
> 
> — Univision Deportes (@UnivisionSports) June 22, 2016

Share



22 Jun 201621.39 EDT


GOAL! USA 0-2 ARGENTINA (MESSI, 32 MIN)

Messi takes the kick and it soars directly into the top-right corner of the goal
past the fully extended Guzan. Beautifully struck, a sensational goal. And with
it, Messi eclipses Gabriel Batistuta as Argentina’s all-time leading goalscorer.

Share

Updated at 21.42 EDT
22 Jun 201621.37 EDT

31 min: Wondolowski gives it away far too easily. Messi charging toward the goal
and Wondolowski bumps him to the grass with his hip. A yellow card but a
necessary foul. Free kick to Argentina from about 24 yards out. Messi kneels to
tie his shoes ...

Share

22 Jun 201621.35 EDT

27 min: Clint Dempsey, last seen on the side of a milk carton and without a
touch so far tonight (as far as I can remember), drops Mascherano with a high
elbow to the neck and he’s down near the halfway line. Paraguayan referee
Enrique Caceres gives Dempsey a stern warning but doesn’t show a card.

Share

22 Jun 201621.31 EDT

24 min: Every cloud ...

> .@FabianJohnson23 having better passing accuracy than #Messi counts for
> something right? 23'#Copa100 #USAvARG pic.twitter.com/ItHGqmPvHu
> 
> — Bundesliga (@Bundesliga_EN) June 22, 2016

Share


22 Jun 201621.30 EDT

21 min: A free kick for Argentina in a dangerous place as Lavezzi is hacked
down. It’s taken quickly – Perhaps prematurely? Did that whistle come from the
referee or the stands? – but after the goal attempt is cleared the US take over
possession.

> Other than the goal and the total Argentinian domination this has been very
> even.
> 
> — Michael Davies (@embassydavies) June 22, 2016

Share


22 Jun 201621.24 EDT

18 min: Argentina win a free kick. It’s taken quickly by Mascherano, but
intercepted by a USA player. Argentina pressing very high and so far it’s
worked, keeping the hosts on the back foot and generally unable to sustain
anything resembling an attack.

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22 Jun 201621.22 EDT

15 min: The USA string together six short passes in an attempt to work it up the
left flank but are quickly dispossessed and all of a sudden it’s Messi running
full speed with the ball toward Guzan. He uncorks a left-footed shot with pace
from just outside the area but the American keeper makes the save.

Share

22 Jun 201621.19 EDT

12 min: Argentina really turning the screws over the past few minutes, keeping
possession and making the US players chase. A through ball to Messi but Zardes
makes a last-gasp slide to deflect it away.

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22 Jun 201621.14 EDT

8 min: Messi pulling the strings from the top of the area, the USA back four in
disarray. A series of short passes and the ball is returned to Messi as he
slashes toward the near post, but his left-footed shot is sent wide of the
target. Goal kick.

Share

22 Jun 201621.13 EDT

7 min: USA win a free kick. Michael Bradley to take it. It’s short and easily
cleared.

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22 Jun 201621.12 EDT


GOAL! USA 0-1 ARGENTINA (LAVEZZI, 3 MIN)

Argentina have kept possession nearly from kickoff. Messi receives it in acres
of space and chips it forward to Lavezzi, but it’s cleared past the goal line
for a corner. The corner is taken short and another chipped through ball is
deflected, but it falls to Lavezzi and he heads it beautifully into the back of
the goal. A nightmare start for the United States!

Share

22 Jun 201621.07 EDT

1 min: And they’re off! The United States in white shirts with blue trim and
white shorts attacking from left to right, Argentina in all-navy strips.

> #USAvARG: Arranca la Semifinal Estados Unidos vs Argentina. Va por #UDN,
> @Univision y https://t.co/db5cBZ8345 pic.twitter.com/PY85NzpOOS
> 
> — Univision Deportes (@UnivisionSports) June 22, 2016

Share

Updated at 21.08 EDT

22 Jun 201621.05 EDT

Some last-gasp predictions. At least three people believe in the United States’
chances.

> FS1 Bullish On #USMNT Chances Against Argentina pic.twitter.com/B3zV1AvGfq
> 
> — Tyler Duffy (@tyduffy) June 22, 2016

Share

22 Jun 201621.03 EDT

Anthem time in Houston. First it’s Himno Nacional Argentino, then a deafening
rendition of the Star-Spangled Banner as tens of thousands of voices ring out
throughout the stadium. Not much longer now.

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22 Jun 201620.59 EDT

Our Tom Dart is on the ground in Houston. He’s sent along the following
dispatch.

> It’s the sort of hot and humid, stepping-into-a-shower summer’s day that
> Houston specialises in, with the threat of showers to boot. Not that it
> matters to either team, because NRG Stadium’s roof is closed and its air
> conditioning is well-equipped to handle the Texas climate.
> 
> The quality of the playing surface is more open to question: it’s grass laid
> out on pallets over the artificial surface used by the Houston Texans NFL
> team. While temporary grass fields have caused problems in the US in the past,
> they haven’t been much of an issue so far in this tournament here, though this
> will be the third game and there were a couple of signs in last week’s Mexico
> vs Venezuela group match that the ball wasn’t rolling quite the way that some
> players were expecting.
> 
> As for NFL games, fans began tailgating in the prairie-sized parking lots
> hours before kickoff. There was a good-natured incursion by a few dozen
> Argentina fans - some waving blue-and-white umbrellas - into an area populated
> by the American Outlaws supporters group, leading to duelling chants of “Olé!
> Olé! Olé!” and “U-S-A, U-S-A!”
> 
> Josue Sanchez, who made the 200-mile drive from San Antonio, stood on the
> fringes of the rally with Clint Dempsey. Or at least, a larger-than-life
> “Deuce-face” cut-out of the US’s star forward and son of Nacogdoches, TX.
> 
> Dempsey has three goals so far in the tournament. How many more tonight?
> “Realistically, hopefully two,” Sanchez said. “He’s back in his home state of
> Texas, so I think he’s going to put on a show for Texas.”

View image in fullscreen
Argentina fans outside the stadium. Photograph: Tom Dart
View image in fullscreen
USA fans outside the stadium. Photograph: Tom Dart
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Updated at 21.00 EDT

22 Jun 201620.54 EDT

Now for a look into the crystal ball. And it’s not pretty. Here’s a note from
Michael Philip, via email.

> 6 or 7 Argentine goals, this is going to be cruel and the US can go back to
> games only they play…

Share

22 Jun 201620.45 EDT

And now for a minor programming note. Guardian US is also liveblogging tonight’s
match in Spanish for the polyglots out there. Feel free to join our Luis Miguel
Echegaray over there!

USA v Argentina - ¡en vivo y en español!
Read more
Share

22 Jun 201620.41 EDT

Tonight’s lineups are already generating discussion. Here’s a note from Daniel
Stauss, via email.

> Messi, Higuain, Lavezzi, Dempsey, Wondolowski. one of these names is not like
> the others, one of these manners just doesn’t belong. At least Clint won’t be
> totally stranded up top, maybe Wondo can stumble around in front of Otamendi
> and distract him a little.

Share

22 Jun 201620.30 EDT


THE TEAMS

Here’s a look at tonight’s teams. USA players Bobby Wood and Alejandro Bedoya
are suspended for yellow-card accumulation in addition to Jermaine Jones, who
picked up a straight red in the quarter-final against Ecuador.


UNITED STATES

XI: Guzan; Yedlin, Cameron, Brooks, Johnson; Zusi, Beckerman, Bradley, Zardes;
Dempsey, Wondolowski

Substitutes: Besler, Birnbaum, Nagbe, Howard, Orozco, Kitchen, Pulisic,
Castillo, Horvath


ARGENTINA

XI: Romero; Mercado, Otamendi, Funes Mori, Rojo; Augusto, Mascherano, Banega;
Messi, Higuain, Lavezzi

Substitutes: Roncaglia, Cuesta, Lamela, Kranevitter, Aguero, Biglia, Maidana,
Guzman, Pastore, Andujar, Di Maria

Share

22 Jun 201620.25 EDT


THE TEAMS

Hello and welcome to tonight’s Copa América semi-final between the United States
and Argentina. Kickoff is roughly 40 minutes away at Houston’s NRG Stadium and
the sides have just taken the pitch for pre-match warmups. Argentina are clear
favorites, but Jürgen Klinsmann’s men will no doubt be looking to stir up the
echoes of 1995.

Plenty more to come ahead of tonight’s match starting with the team information.
Stand by.

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22 Jun 201620.00 EDT

Bryan will be here shortly, in the meantime here’s Graham Parker on tonight’s
game:

> After USA beat Ecuador and Argentina swept past Venezuela, the two teams will
> meet in the Copa America semi-finals on Tuesday night, with Argentina firm
> favorites to advance to the final (and indeed win the whole tournament.) But
> what can Jürgen Klinsmann do to stop them? And just as importantly can they do
> anything to cause Argentina problems? Here are a few tactics that could lead
> to an upset over Lionel Messi and Co:

How exactly do USA beat Argentina in the Copa América semi-final?
Read more
Share

Explore more on these topics
 * Copa America 2016
 * Copa América
 * USA
 * Argentina
 * Lionel Messi
 * US sports

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