lionel Messi made his first start of the Copa America tournament and tied a national record with his 54th international goal as Argentina defeated Venezuela 4-1 on Saturday to set up a semifinal match against the United States.
In Saturday's other quarterfinal, Eduardo Vargas scored a career-high four goals and Edson Puch added two as Chile, the defending Copa America champions, routed Mexico 7-0.
Messi's goal in the 60th minute gave Argentina a 3-0 lead and equaled the Argentine record for most international goals set by Gabriel Batistuta, according to Argentina's governing body. The Barcelona star also took over the Copa America scoring lead with his fourth goal of the tournament.
Argentina now has two days to rest before playing the US in Houston on Tuesday. The Americans have been off since beating Ecuador on Thursday.
With many in the Foxborough, Massachusetts, stadium wearing No 10 from Messi's national team and la liga jerseys, the five-time FIFA Player of the Year started the game after playing a total of just 74 minutes in the three group stage matches.
Just eight minutes in, he connected with Gonzalo Higuain on a long entry pass to make it 1-0.
Higuain scored again in the 28th to make it 2-0. Messi then padded the lead in the 60th after taking a pass from Nicolas Gaitan just outside the 6-meter box.
Venezuela finally beat Argentina goalkeeper Sergio Romero in the 70th minute when Salomon Rondon headed the ball in, nicking the post on the way. But Erik lamela scored a minute later to make it 4-1.
Argentina is 6-2-2 against the US, with the teams last playing to a 1-1 draw in a 2011 friendly. The last American win was in a 1999 friendly.
Chile rout Mexico
In Santa Clara, California, thousands of Mexico's frustrated "fanaticos" were already long gone by the time El Tri's worst defeat in a competitive match finally ended, along with its team-record unbeaten streak at 22 matches. It occurred almost a year to the day since Mexico's previous loss, to Ecuador in Copa group stage.
Vargas scored the first goal of his big night in the 44th, five minutes after an offside call cost him another score, then added goals in the 52nd, 57th and 74th.