Copa America: Messi scores hat trick in return, pushes Argentina to victory

Lionel Messi scored three goals in a dazzling second-half display in his return from a back injury, and Argentina beat Panama 5-0 on Friday night to clinch a spot in the knockout round of the Copa America Centario.

Messi replaced Augusto Fernandez in the 61st minute, drawing a big ovation from a sea of No. 10 Argentina jerseys and the familiar colours of Barcelona, his club team. A few minutes later, the five-time FIFA Player of the Year got right back to work.

"Happy, happy to be back, to be able to play after resting for some time," Messi said. "I really wanted to play ... for the outcome, for the goals. Very happy, to be honest."

First, Roderick Miller's clearing attempt for Panama went off Gonzalo Higuain's hands as he went to protect his face and right to Messi, who took a couple dribbles and then beat Jaime Penedo on the ground to the goaltender's right side. Then Messi sent a curling free kick into the top left corner of the goal in the 78th minute, making it 3-0 and drawing gasps from the crowd of 53,885.

A left-footed chip past Penedo on the goalkeeper's right side finished off Messi's fourth international hat trick, joining friendlies against Switzerland and Brazil in 2012, and Guatemala in 2013.

A rare U.S. appearance for Messi attracted a crowd of 53,885, easily cruising past the attendance of 39,642 for the United States' 4-0 victory against Costa Rica on Tuesday night. The fans chanted "Messi! Messi!" at a couple points in the first half and cheered loudly whenever he was shown on the videoboard.

In between a steady stream of first-half whistles and yellow cards, top-ranked Argentina showed off some of the fancy passing that makes it one of the favorites to take home South America's championship. Panama competed hard, but played with 10 men after Anibal Godoy received his second yellow in the 31st minute.

Defending champs Chile end skid

Arturo Vidal scored his second goal of the game on a penalty kick in second-half stoppage time and Chile kept alive its hopes of advancing in Copa America with a 2-1 victory over Bolivia in Group D play Friday night.

Defending Copa America champion Chile ended a three-game losing streak. Bolivia has lost six straight and has allowed at least two goals in each of its last 12 games.

Chile finished with 10 shots on goal to just one for Bolivia.

Chile was awarded the penalty try after Luis Gutierrez was called for a hand ball.

Vidal gave Chile a 1-0 lead in the first minute of the second half when he corralled a Bolivia turnover and executed a give-and-go with Mauricio Pinilla and slid a goal past Carlos Lampe. Bolivia tied it the 61st minute when Jhasmani Campos hooked a left-footed free kick just inside the post from 30 yards out.