Argentina set up a mouth-watering Copa America semifinal against hosts Brazil as goals from Lautaro Martinez and Giovani Lo Celso secured a 2-0 quarterfinal victory over Venezuela on Friday.

Martinez gave Argentina a 10th minute lead with a clever back flick between his legs and substitute Lo Celso secured the victory 16 minutes from time, pouncing on a mistake by Venezuela's goalkeeper Wuilker Farinez at Rio de Janeiro's Maracana stadium.

It was another improved performance from Lionel Scaloni's team who have grown into this tournament since beginning with a 2-0 defeat to Colombia and a 1-1 draw with Paraguay.

They are bidding to end a 26-year wait for a major international trophy.

"We're Argentina and when there are knockout matches, it makes us strong," said Sergio Aguero, who had a hand in both goals.

"It won't be easy in any way (against Brazil) but we're Argentina and we'll try to do justice to the jersey."

'No favorite in Argentina-Brazil Copa semi'

Lionel Messi said Argentina would take on Brazil on an equal footing.

"It's difficult to give a favorite between Argentina and Brazil, even more so in this Copa America where anyone can beat anyone," said the 32-year-old Barcelona star ahead of Tuesday's semifinal in Belo Horizonte.

"We respect them, we know what Brazil represent," he added.

The hosts struggled to make the semifinals, toiling for more than 40 minutes against 10 men before beating Paraguay on penalties following a 0-0 draw in Porto Alegre on Thursday night.

"We're in good form to take on Brazil, but we'll have to be very focused," said five-time Ballon d'Or winner Messi, who admitted he's not at his best.

"I'm not having my best Copa America," he said.

But as a team, Messi said their performance against Venezuela was "complete."

"Defensively we didn't have any problems and the team was very solid at all times.

"We didn't leave them any spaces when they went looking for them. We were very united and waited for the opportunities to counter quickly."

Chile beat Colombia on penalties

Champions Chile maintained their hopes of a third straight Copa America victory after beating Colombia 5-4 on penalties on Friday to reach the semifinals.

Chile could have won the game in normal time but had two goals ruled out for marginal decisions in a scoreless draw, before Alexis Sanchez stroked home the winning spot-kick.

It was just rewards for the champions after dominating a match in which Colombia held on thanks to a couple of tight VAR calls.

Charles Aranguiz had a goal ruled out in the first half for a marginal offside against Sanchez in the build up to the move.

And After Arturo Vidal shot low into the far corner on 70 minutes, that was chalked off for a handball against Guillermo Maripan, who had teed up the Barcelona midfielder.

After eight successful penalties, William Tesillo casually put his effort wide for Colombia, leaving Sanchez to be the hero, as the Manchester United forward continues to make up for a dreadful club season.