Argentina kept Lionel Messi's dreams of Copa America glory on track as goals from Lautaro Martinez and Giovani Lo Celso saw off Venezuela.
Match Events
0' Messi sings the Argentina anthem before match begins
3' MISS! Aguero’s shot saved
10' GOAL! Venezuela 0-1 Argentina (Lautaro)
Martinez smartly redirects Aguero's strike into the back of the net following a corner! All of Argentina can breathe a collective sigh of relief, they lead 1-0.
37' MISS! Pezzella's header wide out
48' OFF THE POST! Lautaro nearly scores again
74' GOAL! Venezuela 0-2 Argentina (Lo Celso)
Disaster strikes for Venezuela who now trail 2-0 as Lo Celso is in the right place at the right time to turn the ball into an empty net after Farinez spilled Aguero's straightforward strike from 20 yards.
That's poor from the keeper, and it will likely cost his side a place in the next round.
Match Report
Lautaro Martinez and Giovani Lo Celso were on target for Argentina as they downed Venezuela 2-0 to set up a mouth-watering Copa America semi-final against hosts Brazil.
Martinez's instinctive 10th-minute finish was his sixth goal in 10 international appearances and due reward as Lionel Scaloni's men made a rapid start.
They faded during the second half but Lo Celso capitalised upon an error from Venezuela goalkeeper Wuilker Farinez to settle matters at the Maracana - the stadium where Argentina lost the 2014 World Cup final to Germany.
It means Lionel Messi's ambitions of a first international title remain on track, with Argentina's bitterest rivals now standing in his way.
Martinez displayed his burgeoning understanding with Sergio Aguero in attack by playing in the Manchester City striker with a deft early pass – Farinez saving with his feet.
