Copa America: Argentina win 2-0 in ill-tempered clash with Venezuela

Lionel Scaloni's men were far from convincing in finishing as runners-up to Colombia in Group B, but their place in the last four never really looked in doubt at the Maracana, where goals from Lautaro Martinez and Giovani Lo Celso got the better of impotent Venezuela.

A clever Martinez finish opened the scoring after 10 minutes, before Lo Celso made sure of the win from close range 16 minutes from time.

The result sets up a meeting between two of the most fierce rivals in international football, with the match scheduled for Tuesday in Belo Horizonte.

Argentina, who have reached four of the past five finals in this competition without winning a single one, dominated the early possession in their quarter-final and deservedly took the lead.

After Sergio Aguero had tested goalkeeper Wuilker Farinez with an effort from a tight angle, the Manchester City striker turned provider with a drive that found the net via a smart Martinez flick.

Rather than maintain the pressure that had yielded the opener in pursuit of a second, Argentina opted for a more conservative approach, allowing Venezuela some time on the ball.

However, Jhon Chancellor headed harmlessly over from a corner after losing his marker five minutes from the break as Rafael Dudamel's side struggled to turn their occasional attacks into threatening efforts on goal.

Martinez found the outside of the post early in the second period, but Argentina generally remained content to sit on their lead, with goalkeeper Franco Armani enjoying a quiet afternoon until he got strong hands to a Ronald Hernandez strike in the 71st minute.

Argentina finally put the game to bed three minutes later, when Lo Celso - a 68th-minute replacement for Marcos Acuna - pounced quickly after Farinez failed to hold on to Aguero's shot from the edge of the box, sealing their date with Brazil in Belo Horizonte on Tuesday.