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SPORTS: Lionel Messi free kick: Pictures capture moment Argentina captain broke Gabriel Batistuta’s goal record with amazing free-kick

Wednesday, June 22, 2016

Lionel Messi free kick: Pictures capture moment Argentina captain broke Gabriel Batistuta’s goal record with amazing free-kick


Barcelona superstar scored brilliant goal as Argentina progress to the Copa America final with a 4-0 win over hosts USA
LIONEL MESSI scored a stunning free-kick to break Gabriel Batistuta’s Argentina goal record and help send Tata Martino’s side to the Copa America final.
The 28-year-old was at his brilliant best against hosts USA, creating two more goals asArgentina romped to a 4-0 win in Houston, Texas.
United States v Argentina: Semifinal - Copa America Centenario
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Lionel Messi aims a strike at goal against USA in the Copa America semi-final
Soccer: 2016 Copa America Centenario-Argentina at USA
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The captain was level with Gabriel Batistuta on Argentina’s all-time goals list
Argentina's Lionel Messi (bottom, right)
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PLayers from both sides are stationary as the ball sails through the air
The free-kick was Messi’s 55th for Argentina, scored in his 112th match, beating Batistuta’s record that had stood since he retired in 2002 – Batistuta managed 54 goals in 78 international games.
The Barcelona superstar, who turns 29 on Friday, said: “I am happy to have surpassed Batistuta’s record and I want to thank my team-mates, it’s theirs as well.”
Argentina will play the winner of Colombia and Chile on Wednesday night.
Argentina's Lionel Messi (2-L) scores a
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Aston VIlla goalkeeper Brad Guzan can do nothing about it
Argentina's Lionel Messi (out of frame)
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Players watch on stunned as the ball flies into the top corner
Argentina's Lionel Messi (out of frame)
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The goal helped Argentina into the Copa America semi-final
Ezequiel Lavezzi opened the scoring after just three minutes, heading home a Messi cross.
It took just 32 minutes for Messi to have his record-breaking goal, his fifth of what has been a masterful showing at the tournament.
Messi swung a free-kick into the top corner, well out of reach of Aston Villa goalkeeper Brad Guzan, who was beaten all ends up.
Argentina's Lionel Messi (bottom, right)
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Messi wheels away after his stunning free-kick
Argentina's Lionel Messi celebrates afte
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The forward celebrates after celebrating his goal
United States v Argentina: Semifinal - Copa America Centenario
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A pitch invader ran to Messi to take a picture and get his autograph – as well as bow
Higuain added the third shortly after the break but the game was over as a contest after Messi’s stunning strike.
Messi could have had another late on but instead chose to pass to Higuain to score his second with a simple tap-in.

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