Lionel Messi misses complete sitter for Argentina before helping side to 3-0 win

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Lionel Messi left fans in shock as he missed a complete sitter for Argentina before helping them secure a 3-0 win.

The Barcelona forward is into the semi-finals of the Copa America with his country as they saw off Ecuador to set up a tie against Colombia.

And their captain has played a huge role in their campaign, scoring four goals in their five games so far.

But footage has emerged from the win against Ecuador which showed Messi missing a huge chance to open the scoring.

With 20 minutes on the clock at Estadio Olimpico Pedro Ludovico in Brazil, Carlos Gruezo receives the ball and decides to loop it back to goalkeeper Hernan Galindez.

Barcelona’s hero, though, is in the perfect position to chase down the ball as he is not in an offside position.

He takes a couple of touches to get the ball under control and drive at the Ecuadorian goalkeeper, placing a shot towards the bottom-right corner.

But his effort bundles off the foot of the post before getting cleared by centre-back Piero Hincapié.

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All Messi can do is stand and stare in shock as he failed to find the back of the net but he managed to turn his form around for the rest of the game.

The 34-year-old turned provider for Rodrigo de Paul with a cross to find him in the penalty box with five minutes to half time.

But the 2014 World Cup finalists had to wait until the 84th minute for their second goal, Angel di Maria capitalising on a defensive error before the Barcelona captain fed Lautaro Martinez.

The Inter Milan forward has been linked with a move to the Nou Camp – and Messi showed him what he could expect with the perfect layoff to smash into the net.

And Messi got involved in stoppage time, curling a free kick into the top-right corner from the edge of the penalty box.

Argentina will take on Colombia in the Copa America semi-final on July 7 – the same day England face Denmark at Euro 2020.

• Lionel Messi

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