FOXBORO, Mass. — Lionel Messi and Argentina mean business at Copa America 2016, and soccer fans near and far are thankful.
Argentina thrashed Venezuela 4-1 in a Copa America 2016 quarterfinal game on Saturday at Gillette Stadium. Gonzalo Higuain scored two goals in the first half, and Messi and Erik Lamela struck in the second period. Venezuela’s hopes of mustering a shocking comeback following Salomon Rondon’s 70th minute goal ended instantly when Lamela notched his goal just one minute later.
The result and Argentina’s performance justified the lofty expectations most of the 59,183 in attendance had for the most high-profile Gillette Stadium h…