DHAKA: Lionel Messi became his country's leading scorer with a superb free-kick as Argentina beat hosts the USA 4-0 reach Copa America final.

The Barcelona forward, 28, passed Gabriel Batistuta's 54-goal tally with a 25-yard strike, BBC reports on Wednesday (June 22).

Messi provided the assist for Ezequiel Lavezzi's opener, then scored his stunner before Napoli's Gonzalo Higuain fired in to make it 3-0.

Higuain scored with a tap-in in the 85th minute to complete the rout.

‘I am happy to have surpassed Batistuta's record and I want to thank my team-mates, it's theirs as well,’ said Messi.

Argentina will play either Colombia or reigning champions Chile, who meet in Chicago on Wednesday.

BDST: 1333 HRS, June 22, 2016
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