Magical Messi produces more magic at Copa America.


FC Barcelona's wonderman, Lionel Messi has created another wonderful performance that further likens the youthful striker to legendary idol, Diego Armando Maradona. After scoring the goal of the season against Getafe in a Spanish cup match, the world hailed Messi as the genuine successor to Diego Maradona. This has been repeated with another brilliant goal from the Barcelona star. Messi, playing against impressive Mexico, dug the base of the ball from a death-still position and made everyone watch as the round leather assumed an upward flight, going toward Mexican keeper Oswald Sanchez, but sailing over the keeper's reach and floating into the net for Argentina's second goal of the match in the 61st minute. Alfio Basile, the coach of the Argentine national team, was thrilled with the goal. Basile gasps:

The goal was simply unbelievable. Only a genius could do this. Messi knows how to run into areas where he can be dangerous.

Basile was asked about comparisms between Lionel Messi and Diego Maradona and responded :

I have had the pleaure of training both of them and I can say that yes indeed, Lionel Messi is going in the direction of Diego Maradona. Both of them can do what common players cannot. However, to compare Maradona with a boy who is just starting out is not fair. Messi is a very intelligent player, and he needs to be given the freedom to do what he does best.

Argentina had earlier gone ahead with a 44th Minute goal from Manchester United gifted defender, Gabriel Heinze, who finished off a free-kick from Joan Riquelme with a high-rise of his left foot, while Messi scored his wonder goal in the 61st minute, setting the stage for Riqueleme to strike in his fifth goal of the tournament four minutes later in the 65th minute through a penalty after West Ham striker, Carlos Tevez was fouled in the Mexican 18-yard box.

Argentina will now meet perennial rivals and defending champions Brazil, in the Copa America final match on Sunday, July 15 at Maracaibo, Venezuela. This meeting will be a repeat of the 2004 Final in which Brazil emerged winners after a gruelling 4-2 penalty shoot-out victory after scores were tied at 2-2 at the close of 120 minutes of soccer action.