For Lionel Messi, the present Copa America campaign with Argentina has, so far, been another bruising affair on the international stage. But he has still shown flashes of his sparkling best.

TOM SANDERSON: Nothing less than a win against Qatar will do for Lionel Scaloni's fragile side. Just like the World Cup last year, it has been yet another tournament of recriminations.

Argentina must beat Qatar in Porto Alegre on Sunday night and hope Paraguay fail to beat Colombia if they are to avoid a humiliating group-stage exit at the Copa America.

After picking up just one point from their opening two games, Argentina needed to win to progress and they managed to do so courtesy of goals from Lautaro Martinez and Sergio Aguero.

The South American side clinched second place in Group B after a 2-0 victory against Qatar, thanks to goals from Lautaro Martinez and Sergio Aguero. 'Now starts another Copa,' Messi said.

Lionel Messi might be Argentina's - and Barcelona's - all-time record goalscorer, but fans were quick to mock the all-time great after he missed an easy chance for his country in Copa America.

Lionel Messi (left) and Sergio Aguerro (right) cut relaxed figures as Argentina prepared for their Copa America quarter-final clash with Venezuela.

Argentina booked their place in the Copa America semi-finals on Friday night with a 2-0 win over Venezuela in Rio de Janeiro thanks to goals from Lautaro Martinez and Giovani Lo Celso.

Stars from Argentina and Brazil have been training in preparation for their crucial Copa America semi-final showdown on Tuesday evening.

TOM SANDERSON IN SAO PAULO: And so they meet again. On this occasion, for a place in the Copa America final. Yet far more than the chance to face either Chile or Peru will be at stake.

Brazil and arch-rivals Argentina will go head to head for a place in the Copa America final. For live updates from the semi-final, follow the action with Sportsmail's SAM MCEVOY...

TOM SANDERSON AT MINEIRAO STADIUM: Here it was, the one they had all been waiting for. A semi-final showdown between the two biggest rivals in international football. 

Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni claimed his side deserved to reach the Copa America final in the wake of their 2-0 defeat by Brazil. Goals from Gabriel Jesus and Roberto Firmino sealed victory.

When five-time Ballon d'Or winner and Barcelona star Lionel Messi eventually hangs up his boots, he might just have one huge regret lingering in the back of his mind.

After Lionel Messi tasted yet more international heartbreak with Argentina at the Copa America , his scoring record on the big stage has once again come under scrutiny.

TOM SANDERSON IN BRAZIL: Naturally, the Argentine press dug its heels in over the hours that followed yet another big stage disappointment. Messi, they feel, can lead new generation to glory.

Argentina and Lionel Messi remain optimistic about their future despite another year without a trophy. There is some hope despite the team's 2-0 loss to Brazil.

Lionel Messi will not feature for Argentina again this year after receiving a three-month suspension and a £41,000 fine following his controversial comments about Copa America.

Argentina and Chile renewed their combative rivalry in Los Angeles on Thursday in a game that was peppered with 10 yellow cards but ultimately ended as a goalless stalemate.

Argentina and Brazil lock horns for the 111th time in Saudi Arabia to renew one of football's most iconic rivalries. Sportsmail has put together an all-time combined XI ahead of Friday's clash.

Lionel Messi returns to action for Argentina on Friday against their arch rivals Brazil in what will be his first international since being banned for three months after claiming referees were 'corrupt'.

Lionel Messi rarely needs a second invitation to score but that is exactly what he got as he scored from the rebound of his missed penalty to ensure Argentina beat Brazil out in Saudi Arabia.

Lionel Messi praised Argentina's work ethic after scoring the winner in a 1-0 win over Brazil on his return to international football following a three-month ban for criticising CONMEBOL.

Lionel Messi will be hoping to strike again on Monday night following his winner against Brazil on Friday. Messi marked his return from a three-month ban for by scoring in a 1-0 win over Brazil.

Lionel Messi has a chance to win the Copa America on his own turf next summer - but Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni says the competition will be about more than just the Barcelona star.

This summer's Copa America has been postponed 12 months to 2021 amid fears over the spread of the coronavirus. The tournament in Argentina and Colombia has been pushed back.

The things some people do for a story… Liz recounts her greatest hits (and misses) 

Princess Eugenie, 29, has shared a series of positive snaps on Instagram amid the coronavirus pandemic - including a post by the Good News Movement championed by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.

MIKE KEEGAN - SPORTS AGENDA: The BBC is sending all its production staff on training courses to apparently equip them with the skills to attract the coveted under 35s.

MIKE KEEGAN - SPORTS AGENDA: Sports Agenda can reveal that Liverpool decided to hand their share of the gate receipts from the drawn FA Cup tie at Shrewsbury to the League One club.

SPORTS AGENDA: Liverpool's Jordan Henderson has admirably taken the lead in football over coronavirus, suggesting a fund be set up to help the NHS during the crisis.

During the sporting lockdown, replays, throwbacks and charity auctions have taken on unprecedented importance as fans look to fill the void left by live action. 

Liz Nicholl is stepping down as the chief executive of UK Sport after 19 years at the agency... during which she helped Team GB go from 36th to second in the Olympic medals table

Florida Senator Marco Rubio had to make an emergency landing in New Mexico after a sensor went off on his private jet that indicated electrical problems.

IRS demanded lists of all donors, in Q&As that would have been made 'open to public inspection'; Florida senator wants heads to roll; Obama calls it 'outrageous'

President Trump retweeted a podcaster's claim on Sunday that 'Evidence has surfaced that indicates Barack Obama was the one running the Russian hoax.'

The singer, 41, spoke about his thoughts on the way Trump has handled the US's response to the global pandemic in an interview with GQ Hype , which was released on Monday.

US president Donald Trump wasn't the only fight fan impressed with this week's YouTube video of Mike Tyson engaged in a ferocious sparring session.

Melbourne boxing promoter Brian Amatruda exclusively revealed to Daily Mail Australia his plans to arrange a $1million charity with Tyson.

Beth Chatto, who died last year, used to tell her grandchildren the Latin names for plants when they visited. Now her granddaughter Julia has become managing director of her gardens in Essex.

Nigel Colborn has shared his advice on gardening this week. He suggest giving your lawn one final cut, as grass may have kept growing in wet and mild weather.

The MP said the outbreak is 'very dangerous' after a two-day visit to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Health officials have rejected proposals to declare a global emergency three times.

Oscar Pistorius's defence lawyer has repeated claims that a ruthless prison gang leader has threatened to 'take out' the Olympian if he is given preferential treatment in prison.

The anomaly at the heart of Right Or Wrong: The Memoir Of Lord Bell: half the time, Bell is bragging about preferring lying to telling the truth. The other half, he is standing on his high horse. 

Fan favourite Connie Crayden is the latest Married At First Sight star to sign with an agency to kickstart her career as an Instagram influencer. 

With schools breaking up shortly, prep for holiday health with the St John Ambulance Universal Plus First Aid Kit – everything you need for common accidents

LeBron James is on the cusp of adding another piece of history to his bow as he continues to cement his legacy as one of the NBA's greatest-ever players.

Kobe Bryant heaped praise on fellow basketball icon and Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James in what proved to be his final tweet before a fatal helicopter crash on Sunday in California. 

Following a recent trend in the NBA, the New York Knicks have reportedly agreed replace fired president Steve Mills with agent Leon Rose, who previously represented LeBron James.

The Australian tennis star took to Instagram to unveil his new sleeve tattoo on his right arm which features the fallen LA Lakers legend, Lebron James and Michael Jordan's Nike sneakers.