Riquelme Scores Twice As Argentina Thump Peru 4-0

Argentina 4-0 Peru

Juan Roman Riquelme scored twice as Copa America favourites Argentina routed Peru 4-0. The Argentines completely dominated their opponents, and will face Mexico in the semi-finals.

First Half
Argentina started the stronger side, and dominated their opponents with the good work of Juan Sebastian Veron in the midfield, and the dangerous runs from Barcelona star Lionel Messi.
Messi, who has yet to score in the competition, almost put Argentina in-front with a spectacular individual effort, that was saved off the line by a Peruvian defender.

The Argentines continued to dominate the possession, but couldn't break through the solid Peru defense. They rarely threatened Leao Butron's goal, and didn't look dangerous.

Second Half
After the break Alfio Basile introduced Carlos Tevez for an ineffective Diego Milito and it seemed to spark the Argentines. Argentina took the lead less than two minutes in with a brilliant long distance strike from midfielder Juan Roman Riquelme.

Argentina, who are the favourites to win their fifteenth Copa America, began to press the Peruvians heavily and almost scored again, when Tevez hit the crossbar with a powerful header.
Messi doubled Argentina's lead in the 61st minute with a clinical finish after a sensational Riquelme through ball.

In the 75th minute Javier Mascherano added Argentina's third goal when he placed the ball into the back of the net, after Butron couldn't hold Messi's earlier effort.

Argentina started to keep the ball with their trademark crisp passing, while the Peruvians could only look on. Five minutes before full time Riquelme completed the rout when he finished off a brilliant counterattack ignited by a tricky Tevez.

The heavily favoured Argentines will face Mexico in the Copa America semi-finals. The Mexicans stunned Paraguay 6-0 earlier in the night.

Team Line-ups:

Argentina (4): Roberto Abbondanzieri, Javier Zanetti, Roberto Ayala, Gabriel Milito, Gabriel Heinze, Juan Sebastian Veron, Javier Mascherano, Sebastian Cambiasso, Juan Roman Riquelme, Lionel Messi and Diego Milito.

Peru (0): Leao Butron, Miguel Villalta, Santiago Acasiete, Edgar Villamarin, Walter Vichez, John Galliquio, Paolo de la Haza, Juan Carlos Balazar, Juan Carlos Marino, Claudio Pizarro and Paolo Guerrero.

Goals: Juan Roman Riquelme (47', 85'), Lionel Messi (61'), Javier Mascherano (75').
Referee: Carlos Simon (Brazil).
Stadium: Metropolitano de Barquisimeto, Venezuela. Att: 37,000.