USA dominated by Argentina 4-0

The U.S. Men's National Team were throughly dominated by Argentina as the #1 ranked team in the world beat the Americans 4-0 in the Copa America Centenario semifinals Tuesday night in Houston.

Here is the #USMNT Starting XI for #USAvARG. #OneNation pic.twitter.com/jkaiuujr9B

— U.S. Soccer (@ussoccer) June 22, 2016

Argentina went ahead in the 3rd minute off a broken play. The ball was tackled away right to Lionel Messi on top of the box, and he delicately chipped to the onrushing Ezequiel Lavezzi, who headed over an indecisive Brad Guzan to put Argentina up early.

Despite the absences of Jermaine Jones, Bobby Wood and Alejandro Bedoya, some will criticize the lineup as being overly conservative. With the U.S. fielding an ineffective 4-4-2 formation, Argentina were allowed to own possession and put their stamp all over the field, while the Americans had no way of finding an avenue into the contest, failing to even register a shot on goal.

In the 32nd minute, Lionel Messi become Argentina's all-time leading scorer with a picture-perfect free kick that beat Guzan at his near post before kissing off the crossbar and in.

Watch Lionel Messi's unbelievable record-setting free kick. https://t.co/OpxowuzYMF #USAvARG #CopaAmerica pic.twitter.com/Ik8Sd2d7fz

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 22, 2016

The second half wasn't much kinder for the Americans, who continued to leak goals: In the 50th minute, Gonzalo Higuain beat John Brooks to a cross, forcing Guzan into a save before putting away the rebound.

Late in the match, it was Higuain to tap in another beautiful ball by Messi to add insurance to a match that had been decided long beforehand.