On Saturday, in the Copa América Centenario quarter-final, Argentina defeated Venezuela 4–1 with Gonzalo Higuaín scoring a brace in the first half. Argentinine Lionel Messi scored his 54th international goal in the 60th minute equalling the nation's scoring record set by Gabriel Batistuta.
Luis Seijas of Venezuela was booked early, in the 4th minute. With that yellow card, Seijas is to miss his next match. Higuaín opened the scoring in the 8th minute from Messi's assist. Twenty minutes later, Higuaín scored the second goal, finding an empty net. Just before half time, Argentine goalkeeper Sergio Romero tripped Josef Martínez and Venezuela won a penalty kick. Seijas tried a Panenka kick but it was saved by Romero. The first half ended 2–0.
In the 60th minute, Messi scored from Nicolás Gaitán's pass and equalled Gabriel Batistuta's all-time scoring record for Argentina. Ten minutes later, José Salomón Rondón scored a header for Venezuela. But within a minute, Érik Lamela scored the fourth goal for Argentina. Argentina won the match 4–1.
After the match, Gerardo Martino said, "It is not easy for a team to repeatedly reach the final in each competition. And these players have been doing it for two years [...] We are growing. The team fills me with pride" .
Argentina is to face hosts the United States in the semi-finals in Houston.

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Argentina beats Venezuela 4-1 in Copa América quarters; Messi equals Argentina's scoring record