Reuters
Chicago, June 11: Argentina forward Lionel Messi scored a brilliant hat-trick in 18 minutes after coming off the bench in the second half to guide Argentina into the quarterfinals of the Copa America Centenario by hammering Panama 5-0 at the Soldier Field here, Friday.
Argentina were 1-0 up at half-time thanks to a Nicolas Otamendi goal after just six minutes. Panama lost Anibal Godoy to a red card after half an hour but the Central Americans held on until Messi, who missed Argentina’s opening win against Chile with a sore back, replaced Augusto Fernandez in the 61th minute.
The Barcelona forward started gingerly but grabbed Argentina’s second in the 68th minute by steering home a left foot shot after a rebound fell to him in the Panama box. He scored a gorgeous second with a 25-yard free kick just nine minutes later and then with some fancy footwork in the box gave himself enough space to slot home his third and Argentina’s fourth in the 86th minute. Sergio Aguero, another substitute, completed the rout scoring the fifth goal with a header in the final moments.
The result came after Chile had beaten Bolivia in the other Group D game. Argentina have six points from two games, while Bolivia have none and are knocked out of the tournament. Chile and Panama both have three and will face off Tuesday to decide who will join Argentina in the quarters.
Goals in the first and last minutes of the second half from midfielder Arturo Vidal were enough to help the reigning champions Chile overcome Bolivia in Boston. Vidal put the Chileans ahead in the 46th minute but substitute Jhasmani Campos got an equaliser for Bolivia on the hour mark with a superb free kick.
Vidal then took advantage of a controversial penalty decision for handball to score the winner in the dying seconds.
