Lionel Messi Hat-trick Helps Argentina Ease Into Copa America QF

Argentina’s Lionel Messi (10) celebrates after scoring a goal against Panama (Photo: AP)

Lionel Messi came off the bench to score a hat-trick in just 18 minutes on Friday as Argentina hammered Panama 5-0 and eased into the quarter-finals of the Copa America.

Argentina were 1-0 up at half-time thanks to a Nicolas Otamendi goal after just six minutes.

Argentina’s Lionel Messi (10) celebrates with his teammates after scoring a goal during a Copa America group D soccer match. (Photo: AP)

Panama lost Anibal Godoy to a red card after half an hour but the Central Americans held on untilMessi, who missed Argentina’s opening win against Chile with a sore back, replaced Augusto Fernandez after 61 minutes.

The Barcelona forward started gingerly but grabbed Argentina’s second in the 68th minute by steering home a left foot shot after a rebound fell to him in the Panama box.

He scored a gorgeous second with a 25-yard free kick just nine minutes later and then with some fancy footwork in the box gave himself enough space to slot home his third and Argentina’s fourth in the 86th minute.

A fan rushes to Argentina’s Lionel Messi (10) on the field during a Copa America group D soccer match between Argentina and Panama. (Photo: AP)

Sergio Aguero, another substitute, made it 5-0 with a header in the final moments.

“My back was a bit painful at the start but it went away,” said Messi, who was cheered every time he touched the ball by the 53,000 crowd in Chicago.

“I think we are where we want to be, which is getting better,” he told TV cameras after the game.

The result came after Chile had beaten Bolivia in the other Group D game. Argentina have six points from two games, while Bolivia have none and are out.

Chile and Panama both have three and will face off on Tuesday to decide who join Argentina in the quarter-finals.