Argentina 3 Costa Rica 0: Messi masterclass eases hosts into Copa quarter-finals

12 July 2011 07:30
Lionel Messi's stuttering Copa America finally sprung to life as he helped Argentina brush aside Costa Rica 3-0 and move into the quarter-finals.  [LNB]After two disappointing matches, Messi produced a great performance, setting up goals for Sergio Aguero - who bagged two - and Angel Di Maria. [LNB]Carlos Tevez had to watch from the sidelines as Argentina coach Sergio Batista rang the changes with the wantaway Manchester City captain and Ezequiel Lavezzi benched with Aguero and Higuain brought in.  [LNB] Master: Messi was in inspired form against Costa Rica[LNB] [LNB] Aguero netted just before half time, with Messi laying on the second for the Atletico Madrid forward in the 52nd minute. [LNB]The points were wrapped up in the 63rd minute when Messi threaded a pass through to Di Maria whose first time shot gave Costa Rica goalkeeper Leonel Moreira no chance. [LNB]Messi was delighted with the result after Argentina's poor start to the tournament, just when it seemed the host nation was susceptible to a humiliating group-stage exit.[LNB]'I want to thank the Cordoba people for the way they treated everyone, especially me,' Messi said. 'We needed this kind of attention.'[LNB] Brace yourself: Aguero netted two to take his tournament total to three[LNB] [LNB] Messi was quiet in Argentina's draws against Bolivia and Colombia, but against Costa Rica he showed why he is considered by many to be the best player in the world.[LNB]'Lionel knows how to overcome these situations, he has personality to overcome them and today he showed it on the field,' said Argentina coach Sergio Batista. 'He played a tremendous match.'[LNB]His posed a constant threat to Costa Rica and he also thrived on set pieces, just missing with a couple of free kicks.[LNB]'Today he played in a different position and had more space when he received the ball,' said Batista, who switched the playmaker to the right side and got him closer to his team-mates.[LNB]Tuesday night's clash sees Chile take on Peru in a Group C clash in Cordoba. [LNB] Three and easy: Di Maria nets Argentina's third, but Tevez had to make do with a place on the bench[LNB] [LNB]  CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR FREE FANTASY FOOTBALL GAMECopa America 2011: Keep track of the results and fixtures from ArgentinaArgentina 1 Bolivia 1: Aguero saves hosts' blushes with late equaliser in Copa openerArgentina 0 Colombia 0: Messi misfires yet again as hosts battle to avoid early exit[LNB] [LNB]

Source: Daily_Mail