Lionel Messi Discharge Anger at referee in semi-final After loss Against Brazil.

Lionel MISSI Discharge Anger at referee in semi-final After loss Against Brazil.

 The Argentina leader felt a number of choices went in contradiction of his side in Belo Horizonte as goals from Gabriel Jesus and Roberto Firmino in each half put Brazil through to a final against Chile or Peru.

Messi was mostly distressed Argentina were not given a penalty by referee Roddy Zambrano instantly erstwhile to Brazil's second goal but that was only one of a number of objections.

Messi thought Argentina should have had a penalty for a foul on Aguero

The 32-year-old told correspondents: "They were not better than us. They found the net early and the second goal came from a penalty they didn't award.

"The officiating was crazy. There were clear penalties, on (Nicolas) Otamendi, on 'Kun' (Sergio Aguero).

"He (the referee) was on their side. In every separated ball or dispute, he persuaded the pitch their way.

"It's not an reason, but the truth is that, in this Copa, they kept on blustering for stupid things, for handballs, penalties.

"But today, they didn't even go to VAR when there were clear plays that should have been looked at."

Notwithstanding the result, Messi was proud of his team-mates and trusts there is a bright forthcoming ahead for the national side.

The Barcelona star said: "It was the best match we did in the Copa, against a Brazil that has great players in all its lines.

"These guys made a huge ransom. They deserve respect. Argentina has the measurable to keep increasing."

confessed his side had needed to dig deep to protected the result.

He said: "Argentina were a very hard rival. We needed to make a brutal effort.

"It's one more step near our goal. Everything we aimed for from the commencement we are fulfilling but we knew it would not be easy.

"I think many people disbelieved us but we have a lot of trust in our work."