There will be two minutes added on at the end of this second half.
88'
WHO'S THERE?! More Messi brilliance as the forward dances his way towards the touchline before producing an inviting pull-back towards the far post, but it runs all the way through as no one takes the initiative to attack it!
86'
STAT: Argentina faced only 18 shots in the group stage (incl. blocked) – fewer than any other side.
85'
J. Velázquez enters the game and replaces T. Rincón.
Jose Manuel Velazquez is the man to replace him.
84'
Lovely scenes at Gillette Stadium as both sets of supporters applaud Rincon as he hands off the captain's armband ahead of his change. He slowly makes the walk over to the touchline, with time not really an issue at this point for either side. That's always nice to see - sportmanship in every sense of the word from these fans and players alike.
82'
That looks a painful one! Venezuela's skipper pulls up and immediately clutches at his hamstring as he goes down in obvious pain. After a minute or so on the ground, he pops back to his feet, but he's certainly feeling the effects of this one.
80'
L. Biglia enters the game and replaces É. Banega.
Y. del Valle enters the game and replaces Josef Martínez.
Banega is replaced by Lucas Biglia.
Josef Martinez's tournament comes to an end, but he can hold his head high after some excellent showings, as he's replaced by Yonathan Del Valle.
79'
The tempo has understandebly fizzled out as we approach the final 10 minutes. Both sides have put in spirited and relentless performances tonight, so it should come as no surprise that tired legs are setting in as the two coaches prepare more changes.
77'
S. Rondón gets yellow.
Rondon gets into a battle with Otamendi and sends the defender flying to the ground. He's shown yellow and reacts furiously! The referee warns him to calm down, and he should probably listen or his match will come to an early end.
Minute
Description
76'
STAT: Argentina are unbeaten in their last 13 games in the Copa America (W7 D6), and lost only one of their last 23 fixtures in this competition (the final in 2007, 3-0 against Brazil).
74'
S. Agüero enters the game and replaces G. Higuaín.
Argentina make their second change of the evening with Sergio Aguero replacing Higuain.
73'
Struggling to keep up? We all are. After a rather dud of a match last night between Peru and Colombia, these two sides have responded with a classic. There's been chance after chance in this memorable quarter-final clash, highlighted by a number of brilliant moments from some of the sport's finest men.
71'
É. Lamela has scored a goal for Argentina! Assist by L. Messi.
Two assists and a goal now for Messi who is single-handedly beating Venezuela here tonight.
WELL THAT DIDN'T LAST LONG! Lamela gets on the end of another delightful pass from Messi, and his rather tame strike is spilled by Hernandez, squeezing under the keeper's grasp and just crossing the line!
70'
S. Rondón has scored a goal for Venezuela! Assist by A. Guerra.
Wonderful pick-out from Guerra who records the assist.
GAME ON?! Maybe, just maybe, Venezuela aren't out of this just yet! Rondon hangs in the air to get on the end of Guerra's cross, sending a terrific header off the far post and in!
69'
STAT: The Vinotinto have reached the quarter finals in three of the last four editions of the Copa America, but made it through to the semi-finals only once in their history (2011).
67'
É. Lamela enters the game and replaces N. Gaitán.
Gaitan picks up a knock and he'll have to be replaced. He's suspended for the semi-final as well, due to the booking he picked up earlier. Erik Lamela is on in his place.
65'
Argentina are on their way now to take on the USA in the semi-finals in Houston. They've had their nervy moments tonight, but Messi is on a mission, proving to be unstoppable in this contest. Venezuela have performed admirably throughout the tournament, tonight included, but Argentina were just on another level - and there's no shame in that.
63'
A. Figuera gets yellow.
Figuera becomes the latest Venezuela player to be booked, as frustration surely sets in.
60'
L. Messi has scored a goal for Argentina! Assist by N. Gaitán.
MESSI TIES THE RECORD AND ARGENTINA ARE SURELY THROUGH! It's his 54th international goal, tying Gabriel Batistuta for most ever with Argentina! Venezuela give the ball away again, before Messi finishes a delightful give and go with Gaitan, rolling a splendid finish through the legs of Hernandez!
Gaitan, who only got his start at the begining of this tournament because of Messi's injury, links-up brilliantly with the Barcelona forward to pick up the assist.
58'
Feltscher is seemingly doing everything he can to get his name in the book. Three fouls in under two minutes have the Argentina players crying out for a booking, but the referee refrains from issuing a caution - certainly not in keeping with his previous disciplinary approach in this match.
56'
NOT FAR AWAY! Well that surely would have put the game out of reach! Augusto gets on the end of Mercado's cross in from the right, sending a cushioned header towards the far top corner, but it drifts agonisingly wide!
55'
J. Añor enters the game and replaces L. Seijas.
Seija's nightmare - including a yellow card and a missed penalty - ends, as Malaga's Juan Pablo Anor replaces him.
54'
STAT: This will be the fifth game between Argentina and Venezuela in the Copa America – the Albiceleste have won all previous games, scoring 24 goals and conceding only two in the process.
52'
W. Ángel gets yellow.
He's unstoppable! Guerra sees a shot blocked in the area, allowing Argentina to break quickly. Messi sprints forward, but he's got four defenders to beat with support lacking, yet somehow manages to slip through a couple of challenges before Figuera takes him out. Angel arrives late and gets in an extra knock, which sees him into the book.
50'
Venezuela don't take long to get the ball back, and when they do, they take such a refreshingly direct approach in possession. Rincon is tugged down by Banega in midfield, winning his side a free-kick from around 40 yards, and Mascherano is forced to concede a corner on the end of Guerra's inviting delivery.
48'
Argentina have imposed their will in the early stages of this second half. After the pressure Venezuela managed to generate towards the end of the first half, the Albiceleste are taking no chances. Gerardo Martino likely laid into them at the break and it's showing in their approach following the restart.
46'
Not sure it's possible for this game to get any more exciting, but the current standard will be just fine... Here we go again!
45'
HALF-TIME: ARGENTINA 2-0 VENEZUELA.
44'
Penalty saved by S. Romero!
HE'S MISSED IT! Unbelievable. He cant dig a deep enough hole to hide in. The midfielder attempts a cheeky chip down the middle, but Romero reads it the whole way and makes a simple catch to deny Venezuela a way back into the game!
Redemption for Romero, who is the sole reason Venezuela aren't on the board - or even level - after 45 minutes.
42'
PENALTY TO VENEZUELA! They finally have something to show for their efforts! Seconds after Higuain nearly concedes a spot-kick, the referee awards Venezuela a penalty as Romero swipes at the feet of Martinez, knocking him to ground! No doubt about this one!
40'
A SENSATIONAL SAVE! Feltscher unloads an effort from distance, which takes a deflection and loops over the head of Romero. The keeper stays with it, somehow, stretching out fully to tip it over the bar! Unbelievable!
38'
OFF THE POST! More heartbreak for Venezuela! Rondon rises brilliantly above Otamendi to meet Guerra's delivery from a corner, but he punches the air in disgust as his header smacks off the post! Romero was beaten clean there!
36'
This is a shockingly high line from Argentina. First off, their two full-backs are playing very high up the pitch, leaving Otamendi and Funes Mori rather isolated at the back, and Venezuela have recognised it as they're playing some inviting balls over the top for the likes of Martinez and Rondon to chase. There's so much space for them to exploit on the flanks.
34'
Argentina are trying to slow the tempo a bit now, as the wide-open style of this match doesn't suit their needs with a 2-0 lead. They're actually struggling to do so a bit with Venezuela managing to keep the ball for longer spells. The Vinotinto have dug themselves a big hole, but they haven't let it break their confidence.
32'
RONDON DENIED! A glorious chance for Venezuela to pull one back as Mascherano tries to return the favour with a giveaway of his own, but Romero comes up with a crucial save!
30'
STAT: Venezuela have qualified to the quarter finals with seven points – their best record in the group stage since the current format was introduced in 1993.
28'
G. Higuaín has scored a goal for Argentina!
HIGUAN ROUNDS THE GOALKEEPER AND ARGENTINA ARE SAILING OFF TO THE SUNSET! The striker pounces on absolutely dreadful back-pass, which is incredibly uncharacteristic of this Venezuela side, rounds Hernandez and slots a simple finish into the gaping net. They're on their way to take on the USA!
27'
N. Gaitán gets yellow.
A blow to Argentina's attack! Gaitan whiffs on his original challenge on Gonzalez, and needlessly takes out the full-back with his follow-through. The yellow card comes out and that means the Benfica winger will be suspended for the semi-final should they progress!
26'
WONDERFUL BLOCK! Venezuela show a bit of bite themselves, getting forward through Rondon, but Argentina are so quick to get bodies back in defence as Mascherano slides in at the vital moment to block the striker's shot behind for a corner!
24'
Straight at the keeper! Anticipation builds in the stadium as Messi stands over a free-kick from just under 30 yards. The forward obliges to the request of these fans as he tries his luck, but it's a routine save in the end for Hernandez at his near post.
22'
PENALTY APPEALS DENIED! Messi takes a pass and bursts into a pocket of space in the area before being clattered to ground from behind by Figuera! It looked a clear foul, with the midfielder never getting a touch of the ball, but Argentina are denied a spot-kick!
20'
STAT: Their last Copa America meeting was in 1991, when Argentina won 3-0.
18'
Argentina are tough enough to play as it is, but they're absolutely lethal with a lead, as are all great sides. They have an innate ability to control the tempo and keep you hemmed back in defence. Chances are going to be limited for Venezuela, so it will be absolutely crucial for them to take their opportunities when they arise.
16'
Seijas grows frustrated with the referee as his strong run across the halfway line is halted by a clear foul from Augusto. The referee awards the free-kick, but Seijas wants to know where the yellow card is for the Argentina midfielder after he picked one up for a very similar challenge earlier on.
14'
Venezuela are desperate for a positive spell to get back their mojo. They've struggled mightily to keep possession, advancing high up the pitch on just one occasion thus far - it's not been for a lack of intent, but rather an absence of quality.
12'
It's all Argentina here. The early goal is absolutely the worst-case scenario for Venezuela. This is also unchartered territory for them, as they scored first in all three of their group matches, so we'll see how Dudamel's side respond playing from behind.
10'
STAT: Venezuela instead have faced 48 total shots, only Haiti have conceded more to their opponents (52).
8'
G. Higuaín has scored a goal for Argentina! Assist by L. Messi.
WELL THAT SURE DIDN'T TAKE LONG! Venezuela's resistance is broken in a hurry! Messi plays an absolutely sensational ball over the top, picking out Higuain in stride, and the Napoli striker hooks a brilliant first-time finish past Hernandez and in at the far post! A dream start for the Albiceleste!
Messi has been lively early, and it takes him just eight minutes to pick out the decisive pass to give Argentina the lead.
7'
Figuera, who missed the last match through suspension, is fooled by some Messi trickery as he lunges into a late foul. It's very much a cynical challenge from the midfielder, but the referee limits the discipline to a talking to, refraining from going to his pocket for a second time.
5'
You think he's up for the occasion? A rampant start from Messi, who is the clear focal point in Argentina's attack. He picks up a ball in the penalty area and quickly switches onto his left, but curls an effort narrowly wide of the far post!
4'
L. Seijas gets yellow.
Roberto Garcia, who was the referee in Argentina's 2015 Copa quarter-final as well, is quick to go to his pocket as Seijas is booked for the first foul of the night. Should Venezuela pull off a historic upset tonight, he would be suspended for the semis.
3'
FIRST CHANCE TO ARGENTINA! Messi picks up the ball atop the area, but in a testament to the Venezuela defence, he can't find a way through, running all the way across to the left despite multiple looks to dish a ball through, before sending a harmless cross into the waiting hands of Hernandez!
1'
AND WE'RE OFF! Venezuela in their burgundy kits get us underway, attacking right to left, with Argentina in their classic white and light blue stripes.
Hello and welcome to our live coverage from Gillette Stadium in Foxborough as Argentina continue their pursuit of a major trophy when they take on Venezuela with a spot in the semi-finals up for grabs!
Argentina have had about enough of being the bridesmaid and are ready to take home a trophy. The Albiceleste were defeated in the final of each of their last two major tournaments (2014 World Cup and 2015 Copa America). The critics are hot on the heels of Lionel Messi and company as they pursue their first title since winning the Copa America in 1993 – a more than 20 year wait which could come to an end in just over a week’s time if all goes according to plan for Gerardo Martino.
Venezuela are hungry for a trophy, but for very different reasons. The Vinotinto have never tasted success at the international level. In fact, they’ve only once reached the semi-final at a major tournament (2011 Copa America). They went unbeaten through the group stage, with coach Rafael Dumadel bringing a new, exciting brand of football since taking over at the helm, and what a story it would be if they could pull off the upset in Foxborough tonight.
All aboard the Lionel Messi train! The Barcelona forward makes his first start of the tournament after injury held him to just two substitute appearances in the group stage - though that didn't stop him from scoring three times. He gets the call ahead of Angel di Maria, who misses out on the quarter-final through injury, meaning Nico Gaitan keeps his place in attack, flanking Gonzalo Higuain. No other changes have been made by Gerardo Martino from their opening two matches, after he named a largely changed XI for the match against Bolivia in order to rest some of his starters.
Rafael Dudamel restores his first-choice team after giving some of the bigger names a break in their final group match, a draw against Mexico. Salomon Rondon and Josef Martinez resume their impressive partnership up top, while Alexander Gonzales continues to deputise at right-back ahead of Roberto Rosales, who lacks the necessary fitness to start. Oswaldo Vizcarrondo is back in defence, paired with Wilker Angel, as Jose Manuel Velazquez is dropped to the bench.
Lionel Messi, beard longer than ever, leads Argentina out onto the pitch, with Tomas Rincon doing the same for Venezuela. There's very few empty seats inside Gillette Stadium and the atmosphere is terrific on this wonderful night for football in Foxborough!
Well, well, well. No shortage of entertainment in the first half at Gillette Stadium as Gonzalo Higuain's brace has Argentina two-goals ahead after 45 minutes, but there's much more to the story...
Argentina opened the scoring with the most wonderful of goals, with Messi's outrageous pass being knocked in by a terrific finish from Higuain, before the Napoli striker was gifted a second through Gonzalez's dreadful back-pass. It appeared to be done and dusted at that point, but Venezuela had some fight in them after all...
Romero produced a couple of delightful saves, while Rondon hit the post with a header, but Venezuela's hard work looked set to pay off as Martinez won them a penalty late on. Seijas stepped up, but his embarrassing panenka was stopped by Romero, as the Vinotino are unable to cut Argentina's lead in half despite an abundance of chances.
Lionel Messi ties the Albiceleste scoring record and Gonzalo Higuain nets a brace, as Gerardo Martino's side book their ticket to Houston for the semi-final!
Higuain's brace had Argentina cruising in the first half, but some very close calls for Venezuela - Rondon hitting the post, Romero denying Feltscher and Seijas' penalty miss - gave them momentum heading into the interval. The comeback just wasn't in the cards in the end, as Messi extended the lead after an hour, tying Batistuta's record for goals with Argentina, before late tallies from Rondon and Lamela cancelled each other out.
That's all for our live coverage from Gillette Stadium, thanks for following along! Goodbye.
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