Gabriel Jesus (right) of Brazil fights for the ball with Argentina's Nicolas Tagliafico during the Copa America semifinal match between Brazil and Argentina on Tuesday in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. Photo: VCG

Gabriel Jesus and Roberto Firmino scored the goals as Brazil beat arch-rivals Argentina 2-0 on Tuesday to qualify for the Copa America final.

Jesus and Firmino netted a goal apiece in each half to give Brazil a victory which ensured Lionel Messi's frustrating wait for a major international tournament title with Argentina continued.

It was the first time these age-old rivals had met in a major competition since Brazil beat Argentina 3-0 in the 2007 Copa final.

England-based Jesus and Firmino were the stars, each creating the other's goal, although captain Dani Alves had a major say in the opener.

Brazil took the lead on 19 minutes ­after a piece of individual brilliance from Alves. He beat three players on a mazy run before sending Firmino clear down the right with a no-look pass, the Liverpool forward crossing for the unmarked ­Jesus to tap home.

Argentina almost leveled on the half hour when Sergio Aguero headed ­Messi's free kick onto the bar, the ball bouncing down just in front of the line before Brazil scrambled it clear.

Messi then burst into life, driving at the heart of the Brazil defense and playing in Aguero, who took advantage of a 

Thiago Silva slip to make space for himself but Marquinhos was quickly across to block the Manchester City striker's shot.

Moments later, Messi beat two men on the right, won back the ball with a sliding tackle after overrunning it, but then wastefully shot high and wide.

Argentina pushed Brazil back at the start of the second half and Aguero picked out Lautaro Martinez in the box but he didn't catch his left-foot volley cleanly and Alisson gathered comfortably.

Another promising attacking move ended with Rodrigo de Paul blazing over from 20 yards.

But Jesus produced a beautiful piece of skill, including a pirouetting drag-back, before teeing up Philippe Coutinho who should have done better than shooting over.

Moments later, though, a blocked shot from Martinez looped over to Messi who lashed a shot from an angle against the post, with Alisson beaten.

Alisson was alert to clutch a Messi free kick on 66 minutes that looked destined for the top corner.

By then, Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni had already gone for broke, bringing off midfielder Marcos Acuna and sending on speedy winger Angel di Maria, with Messi dropping into a deeper role.

Just as Argentina looked capable of finding a way back into the match, Brazil stung them on the counterattack with Manchester City's Jesus getting away from two defenders and teeing up the unmarked Liverpool striker  Firmino for a tap in on 71 minutes.