Copa America: Argentina beats Ecuador, plays Colombia in semifinal
Rio de Janeiro, Jul 4: Lionel Messi scored his 76th international goal and is now only one shy of Pele for the South American record as Argentina beat Ecuador 3-0 to progress to the semifinals of the Copa America.
Messi scored from a late freekick on Saturday and earlier laid on two assists as Argentina eventually subdued Ecuador and kept the superstar's dream of winning his first major international title alive.
Argentina's rival at the Man Garrincha Stadium on Tuesday will be Colombia, which earlier overcame Uruguay on penalties. The other semifinal will feature defending champions Brazil and Peru.
Rodrigo de Paul opened the scoring at the Olimpico Stadium in Goiania in the 39th minute, tapping into an empty goal before Lautaro Martinez added the second in the 84th with a blast from close range. Messi, in his first match since his contract with Barcelona expired, assisted both of them.
In the dying moments of the match Messi scored Argentina's third from a free kick from the edge of the box. It was his fourth goal in the tournament.
Heavily favoured Argentina wasted several opportunities at 1-0 to cruise to a comfortable victory. Ecuador then hit the post in the second half before Martinez doubled Argentina's lead. But Messi became more influential after 71 minutes when ngel di Maria stepped in replacing Giovani lo Celso.
Ecuador also lost defender Piero Hincapi to a red card near the end of the match after a foul on Di Maria that gave Argentina the free kick scored by Messi.
Messi said being in the semifinals was one of Argentina's objectives for the tournament.
"Now we have to rest and think of Colombia. They defend well, they have quick counters," the striker said.
Asked about his performance, he was brief: "Individual awards are secondary.
#CopaAmérica ?
— Copa América (@CopaAmerica) July 4, 2021
¡Otro pase de Messi! El 10 dejó libre a Lautaro Martínez para el 2-0 de @Argentina sobre @LaTri
?? Argentina ? Ecuador ??#VibraElContinente #VibraOContinente pic.twitter.com/y16BIbaIqL
#CopaAmérica ?
— Copa América (@CopaAmerica) July 4, 2021
¡Bombazo! Lionel Messi la clavó de tiro libre para el 3-0 final de @Argentina sobre @LaTri
?? Argentina ? Ecuador ??#VibraElContinente #VibraOContinente pic.twitter.com/FcvQrHuRka
Un gol. Dos asistencias. Más ángulos del partido del ? ??
— Copa América (@CopaAmerica) July 4, 2021
¿Qué más podemos pedir? ?#VibraElContinente #CopaAmérica pic.twitter.com/ItLjdgyT3f
#CopaAmérica ?
— Copa América (@CopaAmerica) July 4, 2021
Estas fueron las acciones más destacadas de la victoria de @Argentina sobre @LaTri por 3-0 en los Cuartos de Final de la CONMEBOL #CopaAmérica
?? Argentina ? Ecuador ??#VibraElContinente #VibraOContinente pic.twitter.com/LMLHRn46fn
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Priyanka Gandhi participates in various official, outreach programmes in Wayanad
Wayanad(Kerala) (PTI): Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Friday took part in various official and outreach programmes, including inaugurating a health laboratory, in her Lok Sabha constituency.
Vadra, who is in Kerala on a three-day visit, inaugurated a health laboratory in Malappuram that was set up by the Kalikavu Service Cooperative Bank.
Later in the day, she interacted with potters at Nilambur, held a meeting with the Kerala Nadvathul Mujahideen (KNM) state president T P Abdullah Koya Madani at Edavanna and met locals at Wayanad Churam (tunnel) bypass road at Chippilithode.
Kerala Nadvathul Mujahideen (KNM) is an Islamic reformist organisation.
The pottery workers, who presented Vadra with several gifts made by them, told the Congress MP about the difficulties faced by them in their profession.
She assured them that she will work on their issues.
Regarding the Wayanad Churam bypass road, the Congress MP told the people that she has already spoken to the Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari who has constituted a committee for a study to explore what is possible here and what is not.
She said that she will request for expediting the process.
