July 12, 2011 -- Updated 1022 GMT (1822 HKT)
Sergio Aguero opens the scoring on Monday and is now the tournament's leading scorer after his two goals in Cordoba.
(CNN) -- Argentina are into the quarterfinals of the 2011 Copa America after the hosts scored a comfortable 3-0 victory against Costa Rica in Cordoba.
Two goals from Atletico Madrid's Sergio Aguero and one from Real Madrid winger Angel di Maria secured the three points Sergio Batista's team needed to avoid an early exit from the quadrennial competition.
The two-time world champions advanced from Group A in second position, after Colombia defeated Bolivia 2-0 on Sunday to advance in first place.
La Albiceleste will now face the second-placed team from Group C, which will be one of Chile, Peru or Uruguay.
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Argentina were gifted the lead on the brink of half-time, when goalkeeper Leonel Moreira spilled midfielder Fernando Gago's volley and the 23-year-old Aguero finished from close range.
Aguero's second goal, and third of the tournament, arrived seven minutes into the second half, when the former Independiente striker latched onto a perfectly weighted pass from FIFA Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi to sidefoot the ball beyond Moreira.
Di Maria completed the scoring just past the hour mark, firing home from 10 yards after another perfect pass from Barcelona's Messi.
Tuesday's match will pit Chile against Peru in Mendoza, with both teams level on four points.
Credit: CNN (www.cnn.com)
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