Copa America: Lionel Messi scores minutes after coming off the bench (Video)

Lionel Messi wasted no time scoring his first goal of the Copa America.

Argentina’s second game of the Copa America was billed as a “will they or won’t they” with regards to whether Lionel Messi would feature. They already beat Chile, their toughest opponent of the group stage, without the Barcelona forward, putting them in a great position to go on and win their group.

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Nicolas Otamendi gave them the lead in the seventh minute, and they dictated the tempo of the game. With Argentina seemingly in cruise control, they finally brought on the man of the hour, Lionel Messi in the 61st minute, causing the Soldier Field crowd to erupt:

"Listen to that crowd! Messi is on the pitch for the first time at #CopaAmerica Centenario! #ARGvPAN #MyCopaColors https://t.co/AcF9oyICR9— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 11, 2016"

It would get even louder when, just seven minutes after he came off the bench, he got his first goal of the Copa America:

"That didn’t take long! Leo Messi nets his 51st international goal to double Argentina’s lead. #ARGvPAN #MyCopaColors https://t.co/xC6cMnZ2q8— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 11, 2016"

In many ways, it was perfectly set up for him to feature tonight, since the game was on a Friday night and was televised on Fox.

Being the competitor that he is, Messi would’ve liked to play from the outset of the Copa America, but an injury picked up in a friendly prevented him from doing that. But now he’s here, and he’s here to stay, making Argentina a favorite to win the whole thing.

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