Messi in a spot of controversy as he mocks Mina miss
LIONEL MESSI caused controversy by mocking Everton defender Yerry Mina during Argentina’s penalty shoot-out win over Colombia in the Copa America semi-final.
The two sides went to penalties after the scores were tied at 1-1, Lautaro Martinez opening the scoring in the first half for Argentina with Luis Diaz levelling things up just after the hour mark.
In a tense shoot-out, Messi scored Argentina’s first penalty with a well-placed shot.
Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez then saved three penalties – from Davinson Sanchez,
Edwin Cardona and Mina.
Mina had made himself a favourite with Colombia’s followers for his chirpy dance after he converted his spot-kick against Uruguay in the quarter-final.
This time around, there was no dancing.
Before the penalty, Martinez, above, tried to distract Mina with some trash talk, saying things like “I’m going to eat you alive” and “I know where you’re going to shoot”.
Martinez guessed the right way and Mina’s penalty was saved, but the pain did not end there.As he was on his way back to join the rest of the Colombia team, Messi shouted “How about dancing now?” in a mocking reference to last week’s performance from Mina.
Argentina won the shoot-out 3-2, and will now face hosts and favourites Brazil at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro in the final in the early hours of Sunday morning, hoping to end a 28-year trophy drought.
Victory would also bring a first international trophy for Messi, who has only managed to win an Olympic gold medal with his country’s Under-23s.
Now aged 34 and rapidly approaching the last chance saloon when it comes to success at senior international level, Barcelona legend Messi has been in irresistible form leading Argentina to the final.
He is the tournament’s top goalscorer with four, and has also provided five assists after teeing up Martinez’s semifinal opener.
“We have Emi who is a phenomenon,” Messi said after the shoot-out win over Colombia.
“We trusted him.We achieved the goal of being able to play all the games and now we are going to the final.”