![Copa America: Lionel Messi inspires Argentina to set up Colombia semi-final](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/live-experience/cps/624/cpsprodpb/9743/production/_119232783_hi068392571.jpg)
Last update on.From section FootballLionel Messi scored two goals and won a free kick to help Argentina beat Ecuador 3-0. This set up a Copa America semifinal against Colombia.After 41 minutes, Rodrigo de Paul received assistance from the forward at 34 years old. Lautaro Martinez was also assisted late in the game.After Piero Hincapie's foul on Angel di Maria, he gave him a free kick in injury time.After a goalless draw, Colombia defeated Uruguay 4-2 with penalties.Messi said, "I have always believed that individual prizes are secondary. We're here to do something else." His 76th goal for his country was Messi's. "We have a goal and we are focused on it."Messi is now a free agent following the expiration of his contract with Barcelona. However, he missed the goal and hit the post.He said, "It was a difficult match. We all know how hard an opponent can be. We've made another step forward.Colombia will face Argentina at 02:00 BST Wednesday, as they haven't won the Copa America tournament since 1993.David Ospina, an ex-Arsenal keeper, was Colombia's hero after saving penalties from Jose Maria Gimenez & Matias Vina during the penalty shootout.Ospina (32), was making his 112th international appearance and becoming the most-capped player in his country.Reinaldo Rueda, coach of Colombia, said that David has been a leader all his life."He is very analytical when it comes penalty matters. This is a huge help to our team."Line-upsMatch StatsLive Text Line-ups Argentina Formation 4-3-3 26 Molina 6 Pezzella 19. Otamendi 8. Acua 7 de Paul 5. Paredes 20 Lo Celso 10. Messi 22 Martnez 15. Gonzlez 23 Martnez26 Molina6 Pezzellas19 Otamendi Booked in 45mins8 Acua7 de Paul5 Paredes substituted for Rodrguez in 71' minutes20 Lo Celso Substituted For Di Mara at 7:01'10 Messi22 Martnez substituted for Agero in 90+4' minutes15 Gonzlez Booked in 66mins Substituted to Tagliafico in 83' minutes Substitutes: 1 Armani3 Tagliafico4 Montiel9 Agero11 Di Mara12 Marchesn14 Palacios16 Correa18 Rodrguez21 Correa24 Gmez25 Martnez Ecuador Formation 4-3-2-3 1 Galindez 17 Preciado 3 Hincapie 7 Estupin21 Franco 10 Gruezo20 Mndez 15 Mena13 E Valencia 27 Palacios1 Galindez17 Preciado booked at 20mins. Substituted by Campana at the 83' minutes4 Arboleda3 Hincapie booked at 90mins7 Estupins Booked in 44 Minutes21 Franco Booked at 31mins Caicedo substituted at 70' minutesEstrada Substituted with 10 Gruezo at 45' Minutes20 Mndez15 Mena13 E Valencia27 Palacios Substituted to Plata at 45' Minutes Substitutes 2 Torres6 Noboa8 Martnez9 Campana11 Estrada12 Ortz14 Arreaga16 Pineida19 Plata22 Domnguez23 CaicedoReferee for 28 Hurtado: Wilton Pereira Sapaio Match Stats Live text Post update Match ends in Argentina 3, Ecuador 0. Second Half, Full Time ends, Argentina 3, Ecuador 0. Post update. Attempt failed. ngel Mena (Ecuador), right footed shot from the outside of the box is close but misses to his left. Enner Valencia assisted. Post-update Attempt failed. Moiss Caicedo, Ecuador (right footed shot taken from outside the box but misses to right). Enner Valencia assisted. Substitution Substitution Argentina. Sergio Agero will replace Lautaro Martnez. Goal! Goal! Goal! Lionel Messi (Argentina), from a free kick with an left footed shot in the top right corner. Piero Hincapie (Ecuador), is disqualified. Post-update VAR Decision: No Penalty Argentina. Piero Hincapie (Ecuador): Post-update Foul Post update: ngel Di Mara (Argentina), wins a free kick during the attacking half. Goal! Goal! Goal! Argentina 2, Ecuador 0. Lautaro Martnez (Argentina), right footed shot, from the middle of the box to top right corner. Lionel Messi assisted. Post update: ngel Mena (Ecuador), wins a free kick at the defensive half. Post update Foul by Rodrigo de Paul, Argentina Substitution Substitution Ecuador. Leonardo Campana replaces ngelo Prciado. Substitution Substitution Argentina. Nicols Tagliafico takes over for Nicols Gonzlez. Corner, Ecuador. Emiliano Martnez resigned. Post-update: Attempt saved. Gonzalo Plata, Ecuador (left footed shot) from a difficult angle on right is saved in bottom right corner Assisted by ngelo Prciado. Post-update Attempt failed. Nicols Gonzlez (Argentina), right footed shot left from the box's left side. The shot is high and wide to his right. Marcos Acua assisted. Post update Guido Rodrguez, Argentina (Argentina), wins a free kick at the defensive half. Foul by Enner Valencia, Ecuador (post update). Page 1 of 7 Rewind Previous Navigate to Next Navigate To The Last Page Forward