<p style="text-align: justify"> . <strong><em>Lionel Messi produced a scintillating individual performance as Argentina destroyed Paraguay 6-1 to reach the final of the Copa America here Tuesday.</em></strong></p> <p style="text-align: justify">The FC Barcelona superstar tormented Paraguay mercilessly as the favorites produced their best display of the tournament and advanced to a showdown with Chile in Saturday's final.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">Although Messi failed to end his run of more than 900 minutes without an international goal from open play, he turned creator as Argentina tore Paraguay apart.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">Goals from Angel Di Maria (2), Marcos Rojo, Javier Pastore, Sergio Aguero and Gonzalo Higuain completed an emphatic rout for the South American giants.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">A satisfied Messi was delighted Argentina's potent collection of attacking talent finally appears to have clicked with Saturday's final looming.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">"We've been playing well -- we knew once we scored one goal, many more would come, and that's what happened," said Messi as he collected his man-of-the-match award.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">"We got an early goal and then found more space, and then we got the second. We continued to play the same way and more goals came."</p> <p style="text-align: justify">Argentina, who finished runners-up in last year's World Cup, are determined to clinch a first major title in 22 years at the Copa America.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">"The important thing is that we've achieved our first objective by reaching final. Now we need to win it," Messi said.</p> <h2 style="text-align: justify">Early lead</h2> <p style="text-align: justify">Manchester United defender Rojo and Paris Saint-Germain's Pastore had given Argentina a 2-0 lead midway through the first half before Paraguay pulled one back through Lucas Barrios.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">But any Paraguayan hopes of repeating their heroics in the group phase -- when they came back from two goals down to draw 2-2 -- were snuffed out by two goals in six minutes from Di Maria early in the second half.</p> <p style="text-align: justify"><a href="http://www.thehardtackle.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/04825763.jpg"><img class="aligncenter wp-image-185445" src="http://www.thehardtackle.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/04825763-1024x508.jpg" alt="Argentina vs Paraguay" width="764" height="379" /></a></p> <p style="text-align: justify">The carnage was completed with a headed goal from Manchester City striker Aguero in the 80th minute before substitute Higuain made it 6-1 just after coming on.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">Argentina's opener came from a setpiece after 15 minutes.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">Messi flighted a teasing free-kick into the area and when the ball dropped to Rojo, the defender reacted quickest and drilled in a low shot.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">The Argentinians should have doubled their lead six minutes later when Messi sprinted clear of the Paraguayan cover and released Pastore down the left.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">But with the goal begging, Pastore took took too long to get a shot away and Victor Caceres was able to slide in to make a desperate last-ditch block.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">Yet Pastore did not have to wait long to make amends, seizing his chance when presented with another gilt-edged opportunity by Messi six minutes later.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">Slick approach play saw the ball end with Messi, who deftly carved open the Paraguayan defence to play in Pastore.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">The midfielder controlled on the run with a sublime first touch before bludgeoning a low shot past Justo Villar.</p> <h2 style="text-align: justify">Di Maria at the double</h2> A disastrous start for Paraguay was compounded when veteran striker Roque Santa Cruz limped out of the contest, to be replaced by Barrios. <p style="text-align: justify">As half-time approached, however, Argentina's defensive frailty was exposed once again with sloppy play at the back presenting Barrios with the chance to lash home a shot from 20 yards to give Paraguay hope.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">Paraguay's fightback was extinguished within eight minutes of the restart, however, as two goals from Di Maria put the favourites 4-1 up.</p> <p style="text-align: justify"><a href="http://www.thehardtackle.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/04825800.jpg"><img class=" wp-image-185478 aligncenter" src="http://www.thehardtackle.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/04825800-300x184.jpg" alt="Argentina vs Paraguay" width="718" height="440" /></a></p> <p style="text-align: justify">A superb counter-attack saw Pastore slip in Di Maria, whose low shot made it 3-1 on 47 minutes.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">In the 57th minute, Messi set up Argentina's fourth, jinking clear of the Paraguay defence to feed Pastore.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">Pastore's shot was saved by Villar but only as far as Di Maria, who tucked away his second.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">The only question thereafter was whether Messi would get on the scoresheet.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">The diminutive maestro produced a mesmerizing burst past three Paraguay defenders on 68 minutes only for his finish to be blocked.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">On 80 minutes, Aguero headed in from Di Maria's cross and three minutes later Higuain got on the scoresheet after another probing Messi run.</p> <p style="text-align: justify"></p> <p style="text-align: justify"><strong>By AFP</strong></p>