The US national team now know their semifinals fate: A date with Leo Messi and Argentina.
Messi led Argentina to a quarterfinals victory over Venezuela on Saturday night, scoring a goal and assisting on two others in a convincing 4-1 triumph at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. Argentina got off to a strong start in the game, with Gonzalo Higuain scoring twice inside of the first half hour to set the tone for the South American powerhouse.
Venezuela had a chance to trim the deficit when it was 2-0, but a poorly-taken penalty kick from Luis Sejias late in the first half went right into the arms of Argentina goalkeeper Sergio Romero.