Lionel Messi was the star of the show for Argentina as he scored a stunning free-kick goal and grabbed a couple of assists to help Albiceleste secure an easy 3-0 victory over Ecuador at Copa America 2021.Argentina dominated the game right from start to finish and finally took the lead in the 40th minute through midfielder Rodrigo De Paul. Lionel Messi, as always, was heavily involved and found De Paul on the far side to grab his first assist of the night.The second half saw Ecuador start brightly and enjoy their best spell of the game as they troubled Argentina's defense with some whipped balls from the wings and set-pieces. However, the Argentine defense held firm.The game was finally put to bed in the 84th minute when Lautaro Martinez made the most of Lionel Messi's brilliant pass to make it 2-0. The 6-time Ballon d'Or winner outmuscled Peiro Hincapie and set up Lautaro Martinez, who made no mistake.Lionel Messi reserved his best for the last as he fired in a clinical free-kick in the 3rd minute of injury time to add gloss to the scoreline and secure a 3-0 win for Argentina. The Argentina superstar now has 4 goals and 4 assists from the tournament so far and looks determined to end his country's long wait for an international trophy.The goal also took Lionel Messi's international goal tally to 76 which is just one behind the legendary Pele. Speaking after the match, the Argentina captain said:"I've always said that individual prizes are secondary, we're here for something else. We have an objective and we're focused on that.""It was a hard match, we know how difficult an opponent they can be. The important thing is we've taken another step forward."Argentina will now take on Colombia in an intriguing semi-final while Brazil will face off against Peru in the other semi-final. Both Brazil and Argentina are unbeaten in the tournament so far and with Neymar and Lionel Messi in fine form, we could very well have a Brazil vs Argentina final at Copa America 2021.Lionel Messi has been at his sparkling best inc Copa America 2021 and fans will be hoping that the legendary 'number 10' contiunues his good form for the rest of the tournament. Without further ado, let us take a look at the:Best Tweets from Argentina 3-0 EcuadorLionel Messi celebrating after the Argentina win vs. Ecuador at the Copa America. pic.twitter.com/Jdo1sn1WUE— Roy Nemer (@RoyNemer) July 4, 2021No Caption needed! Just GOAT things 🐐#CopaAmerica #Argentinavsecuador pic.twitter.com/UtHeSdaF2G— Aniket Thakare (@aniket2thakare) July 4, 2021This is why Messi is the GOAT 🐐4 goals & 4 assists.🙌🙌👌🇦🇷🇦🇷 #CopaAmerica #Argentinavsecuador pic.twitter.com/JT1aOytKL6— Brown skin girl (@Abo_Qua) July 4, 2021Lionel Messi Vs Ecuador 🇪🇨 👕 6 Games⚽ 5 Goals👟 1 AssistThe King of Argentina 👑🇦🇷 pic.twitter.com/7qhN6NPPDQ— infosfcb (@infosfcb) July 3, 2021Lionel Messi was in inspired form for Argentina🇦🇷 | Lionel Messi has had 7 goal contributions for Argentina in the last 7 games and has now assisted 20 different players with Argentina's senior team. The GOAT can do it all 🐐#CopaAmerica #CopaAmerica2021 #Argentina #Argentinavsecuador pic.twitter.com/MOpgBj9JaC— Messaitama🤺🇮🇳🇦🇷 (@messaitama) July 4, 2021One goal and Two assist for messi today 😉😉 #Argentinavsecuador #Messi pic.twitter.com/3eH4BVta43— dawagurung** (@Pop38662791) July 4, 2021Messi when it's Messi when it'sa penalty a free kick pic.twitter.com/mIwlPQOLhZ— 𝐁𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐚𝐩𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐚 (@HariFCMessi) July 4, 2021Ronaldo fans after Messi hit the post on a 1 on 1, there faces after Messi had two brilliant assists and a stunning goal pic.twitter.com/rXiVewS2Pk— Almighty © (@AlmightyFaucet) July 4, 2021Messi when the ref cancelled the penalty and gave a free kick: pic.twitter.com/tTIj4QXLRp— F Ì Ķ Ã Ý Ø ☣ (@Fikayofmars) July 4, 2021In this euro, there's no free kick goals yetEuro commentator : "𝘂𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗹𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗹𝗲𝗳𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝘀𝗻'𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗲𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻" pic.twitter.com/NfrpCK3CLq— 𝐁𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐚𝐩𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐚 (@HariFCMessi) July 4, 2021Most free kick goals among all the active players in world football. Remember those days when he was mocked for not being good at free kicks. But people would still live off this ridiculous myth that Messi is all talent and vibes without any hard work and grit pic.twitter.com/sxoJlOuEhB— RAM (@MeticulousViews) July 4, 2021Referee cancels the penalty and gives Free-kick to ArgentinaMeanwhile Messi: pic.twitter.com/GNXtHKCTqs— FCB Mumbai (@fcbmumbai) July 4, 2021How lucky are we to live in an era where we can see Lionel Messi masterclass week in week out live. We are literally living during football most significant part of history. Unbelievable. pic.twitter.com/hQPgMxNC1R— Madrid Fan (@cristiano_peak) July 4, 2021All the 10 opponent players on the Box and Leo Messi somehow still finds a way to put the ball into the net ⚽Simply, The Greatest there wasThe Greatest there isThe Greatest there ever will be. 🐐 pic.twitter.com/CpnaJt57Ya— Aleix Blaugrana (@BreatheBarca) July 4, 2021Messi has been directly involved in 8 out of Argentina's 10 goals in the Copa America. pic.twitter.com/SH07ZvUnhl— Barça Universal (@BarcaUniversal) July 4, 2021That's why Messi is the greatest person to wear a mask pic.twitter.com/aZZBi0N6TN— A. (@stfuarshu) July 4, 2021Lionel Messi's masterclass in 54 seconds. Sit back and enjoy the 2 assists and the free-kick goal.Un gol. Dos asistencias. Más ángulos del partido del 🔟 🇦🇷¿Qué más podemos pedir? 😍#VibraElContinente #CopaAmérica pic.twitter.com/ItLjdgyT3f— Copa América (@CopaAmerica) July 4, 2021Messi is now the first player in history to reach 40 goal contributions in major international tournaments (World Cup = 11 G/A; Copa America = 29 G/A) pic.twitter.com/1DzKvaAm3n— Mo (@mhussein_fcb) July 4, 2021Lionel Messi Copa America stats 📊📊• 4 goals (Top scorer)• 4 assists (Top assister)• 2 free kicks• 19 chances created• 24 dribbles• 15 key passes• 48 duels won• 13 long balls• 4 MOTM pic.twitter.com/xGs0zUXThJ— Harvey (@LaPulga__10) July 4, 2021Free Kick Goals in Euros: 0Free Kick Goals in Copa America: 2 (both by Messi) pic.twitter.com/oCoJYTRmwR— J ✍️ (🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 for Euros) (@CitehCitehSZN) July 4, 2021Copa America 2021 Most Goals: Lionel Messi (4)Most Assists: Lionel Messi (4)Messi own this tournament pic.twitter.com/VEO8rAw0Fs— Albiceleste Zone 🇦🇷 (@AlbicelesteZone) July 4, 2021Lionel Messi has won 26 MOTM awards in the 35 games that he has played in in 2021.Doing what GOATs do obviously. pic.twitter.com/nDSsPq4ZfY— Athousand Brains 🌟🇵🇸 (@AthousandBrains) July 4, 2021#CopaAmerica Top scorers1. Messi with freekicks (4 goals) 2. Messi without PK (3 goals)3. Messi without freekicks (2 goals)4. Neymar (2 goals)5. Gomez (2 goals) pic.twitter.com/QnuLR4FOI8— Fuegoleon (@Waffirian_) July 4, 2021Just realized this demon Messi is still Copa America top scorer if you were to only count his free kicks 😭— 🇲🇽 (@FutbolFax) July 4, 20217th BallondorInternational TrophyMessi is 2 wins away from winning both. pic.twitter.com/aCeAUMqNPE— 𝘚𝘢𝘪𝘧⚡️ (@grizi7i) July 4, 2021With Fellow Contenders Falling Out And Arguably Being The Best Player In 2021, Messi Could Be Chasing His 7th Ballon d'Or 😳👏👏❤️🏆 pic.twitter.com/rPPq5OVjFU— ✍️Keshav_Saud🇳🇵🙏 (@KeshabSaud11) July 4, 2021Lionel Messi: “I didn't come for individual awards, I came here to fulfill everyone's dream.” #Messi #Argentina pic.twitter.com/D8INGffDpc— Ks (@VishnuBARCA) July 4, 2021Also read: Fabrizio Romano's Transfer Roundup: Updates on Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi's futures, Arsenal active in the transfer market and more