and again it's messi

Argentina routs Paraguay 6-1, reaches Copa America final

Argentina's Lionel Messi kicks the ball during a Copa America semifinal match against Paraguay in Concepcion, Chile. Argentina beat Paraguay 6-1, setting up a final against host Chile.

Barcelona's Lionel Messi helped set up five goals, including poking the ball through the legs of one of the Paraguayan defenders in a remarkable run from near midfield.

Lionel Messi helped set up five goals as Argentina trounced Paraguay 6-1 in the Copa America semifinals on Tuesday, setting up a final against host Chile.

Messi assisted in first-half goals by Marcos Rojo and Javier Pastore and one of Angel Di Maria’s second-half goals. The Barcelona star also helped set up the final two goals by Sergio Aguero and Gonzalo Higuain.

Messi showed his brilliant play-making abilities when he beat three defenders, poking the ball through the legs of one of them in a remarkable run from near midfield that culminated in Argentina’s fourth goal by Di Maria.

“We knew the goals would come eventually,” Messi said through a translator. “We were playing well, creating chances, and today we finally got all the goals.”