Argentina are into the Copa America final after beating United States 4-0 in Houston.
Messi took over the semi-final, setting up Ezequiel Lavezzi's opening goal, before curling in a fantastic free-kick that made him Argentina's all-time leading goal-scorer with 55 goals.
Argentina needed just three minutes to score the opening goal when Lavezzi took a quick corner to catch United States napping and combined with Messi to head his side into the lead.
The Argentine captain then stepped up and buried a free-kick, beating keeper Brad Guzan at his far post with an effort that went in off the underside of the bar.
The goal in his 112th international lifts him above Gabriel Batistuta, who scored 54 goals in 78 games for the two-time world champions.
Argentina added a third when Lavezzi played in Gonzalo Higuain, who beat the offside trap and slotted it past Guzan at the second attempt.
Higuain added a fourth late on when Messi swooped on some poor United States passing at the back.
It's Argentina's third Copa America final in three years, and they will play the winner of Colombia vs Chile on Thursday (NZT).
The final will be played in New Jersey on Monday (NZT).
Newshub.
