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Copa America 2016: Lionel Messi scores three goals as sub for Argentina

By The Sports Xchange
Argentina midfielder Lionel Messi reacts after scoring his second goal against Panama on a free kick during the second half of a 2016 Copa America Centenario Group D match against Panama at Soldier Field in Chicago on June 10, 2016. Messi scored 3 goals as Argentina defeated Panama 5-0. Photo by Brian Kersey/UPI
1 of 5 | Argentina midfielder Lionel Messi reacts after scoring his second goal against Panama on a free kick during the second half of a 2016 Copa America Centenario Group D match against Panama at Soldier Field in Chicago on June 10, 2016. Messi scored 3 goals as Argentina defeated Panama 5-0. Photo by Brian Kersey/UPI | License Photo

Superstar Lionel Messi entered the game as a sub in the 61st minute and scored three goals in short order to propel Argentina to a 5-0 rout of Panama in a Copa America Group D match on Friday night at Soldier Field in Chicago.

Messi, coming off a back injury, replaced Augusto Fernandez and wasted no time, finding the net in the 67th minute to boost Argentina's lead to 2-0. He scored again in the 78th and 87th minute for his 10th multi-goal game and fourth international hat trick for Argentina.

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Nicolas Otamendi opened the scoring in the seventh minute and Sergio Aguero capped the night for Argentina with a goal in the 90th minute.

Argentina moved alone atop the Group D standings with a 2-0 record

Chile 2, Bolivia 1

Arturo Vidal scored his second goal of the match in second-half stoppage time on a penalty kick to lift Chile over Bolivia in a Group D game in Foxborough, Mass.

Vidal gave Chile, the defending Copa America champion, a 1-0 lead with his first goal in the 46th minute and Bolivia tied the score with the equalizer from Jhasmani Campos on a free kick from 30 yards in the 61st minute.

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Vidal's winner came after Chile was awarded a penalty kick on a hand-ball call against Luis Gutierrez.

Chile (1-1) kept its hopes alive to advance after ending a three-game losing streak. Bolivia fell to 0-2 with its sixth consecutive loss.

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