Lionel Messi scores for Argentina as Marquez inspires Mexico to Championship semis.


Two FC Barcelona players, Lionel Messi and Rafa Marquez will be playing on opposite sides when the next stage of the Copa Americ resumes in the Semi-final clash on Wednesday night. Mexico and Argentina, will fight for a final match spot, after both qualified for the semi-final in grand style, with Mexico denting Paraguay 6-0 and Argentina coming two goals short of that margin with an emphatic 4-0 win over Peru.


Paraguay lost keeper Bobadillo to a red card after just 2 minutes for bringing down Castillo in the box. The striker took the penalty himself and Mexico were one up and a man to the good –a situation they exploited to the full scoring twice more before half time through Torrado in the 26th minute and Castillo again on 38 minutes. Rafa Marquez played for the full 90 minutes and inspired Mexico to another three goal haul in the second half with goals from Fernando Arce, another penalty, this time converted by Cuauhtémoc Blanco, and Omar Bravo.


Argentina rose from a scorless first half to finish off Peru 4-0. Ex-Barca man Juan Román Riquelme opened the scoring on 47 minutes, then on 61 minutes, Leo Messi scored his first goal of the competition, rounding of a good team move. Mascherano and Riquelme with his second rounded of an impressive second half attacking performance to ensure a Marquez-Messi match on Wednesday night.
Watch the videos highlights of both matches:


Mexico - Paraguay 6-0 ( 3-0 )

Goals : Nery Castillo (pen 6'), Gerardo Torrado (27'), Nery Castillo (39'), Fernando Enrique Arce (79'), Cuauhtémoc Blanco (pen 86'
Omar Bravo (90')

Argentina - Peru 4-0 ( 0-0 )
Goals : Juan Riquelme (47'), Lionel Messi(61'), Javier Mascherano (75'), Juan Riquelme (86')