Massachussets (US), June 19 (IANS): Argentina and defending champions Chile easily outclassed their respective opponents to enter the semi-finals of the Copa America Centenario football tournament in style.

At the Gillette Stadium here late Saturday, Argentina showed ample glimpses of their awesome firepower by overpowering 2011 Copa America finalists Venezuela 4-1 in the quarter-finals.

Gonzalo Higuain (8th, 28th minutes) struck twice for the 14-time champions while Lionel Messi (60th) and Erik Lamela (71st) scored once each.

It was a historic occasion for Messi as he drew level with former star striker Gabriel Batistuta's all time highest tally for Argentina at 54 goals.

Later, Chile routed a hapless Mexico 7-0 at the Levis Stadium in Santa Clara, California in a last-eight game.

Eduardo Vargas (44th, 52nd, 57th, 74th) got a hattrick while Edson APuch (16th, 87th) got a brace. Alexis Sanchez (49th) completed the tally. 

In the semi-finals, Argentina will meet hosts US while Chile is expected to face a tough task against Colombia.