Lionel Messi is determined to win a title with Argentina, like never before.

The captain scored from a free kick and gave two assists on Saturday, for the 3-0 win over Ecuador, which will allow Argentina to play the Copa América semifinal for the fourth consecutive edition. He will face Colombia on Tuesday in Brasilia.

Rodrigo De Paul opened the account at 39 minutes, Lautaro Martínez extended at 84, and Messi made the third at 90 at the Olympic stadium in the city of Goiania for the quarterfinals of the contest.

The Albiceleste, which seeks to break a 28-year streak without titles, went to rest with the minimum advantage after a first half in which it had the clearest chances, but could also pay dearly for some defensive imbalances that exposed the intelligent approach of the Argentine coach from Ecuador, Gustavo Alfaro.

“The truth was that it was a very tough game, we knew how difficult Ecuador was, which is a hard-working team … And it was fought until we found the goal,” said Messi.