Only victory in Copa America Centenario will now do for Argentina says coach Gerardo Martino

Lionel Messi scored and provided two assists in their 4-0 semi-final win over the United States to set up a final meeting with either Colombia or Chile

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Argentina's Gonzalo Higuain celebrates his goal against the United States with Lionel Messi and Ezequiel Lavezzi. Photo: AP

Published: 1:12pm, 22 Jun 2016Updated: 1:12pm, 22 Jun 2016

Argentina coach Gerardo Martino said his side must now go on to win the Copa America Centenario after they edged closer to ending their nation’s 23-year wait for a major title.

Martino was a happy man after watching his team destroy the United States 4-0 with a sparkling performance at Houston’s NRG Stadium to clinch their place in a third final in as many years.

But despite the plaudits for his team’s performance in the tournament, Martino said the only measure of the side’s success would be outright victory in Sunday’s final in East Rutherford.

“Our main concern was to win the game today, so that we could get back to where we were a year ago and two years ago,” said Martino, referring to Argentina’s place in the 2015 Copa America final and 2014 World Cup final.

United States goalkeeper Brad Guzan watches the goal by Argentina forward Gonzalo Higuain. Photo: USA Today

Argentina lost both of those finals in agonising fashion, suffering an extra time defeat to Germany in the World Cup final and losing on penalties against hosts Chile in Santiago last year.

The bitter memory of those twin defeats is driving Argentina’s players towards Sunday’s finale at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.