Messi and Julián Álvarez leads Argentina to World Cup final with 3-0 win over Croatia
Messi was in top form during his team’s semi-final at Lusail Stadium.
Argentina secured their spot in the 2022 World Cup final thanks to a 3-0 semi-final win over Croatia on Tuesday night.
Lionel Messi’s masterful performance was on display at the Lusail Stadium, with the legendary striker opening the scoring from a penalty midway through the first half before Julián Álvarez struck both sides of the half to send Albiceleste into their sixth World Cup final.
Argentina meet holders France or Morocco in Sunday’s test event, while Croatia, 2018 runners-up, are eliminated in the semi-finals and now prepare for a third-place play-off on Saturday.
Lionel Scaloni made two changes to the squad that defeated the Netherlands on penalties in the quarter-finals. Leandro Paredes and Nicolás Tagliafica came on for Lisandro Martínez and the suspended Marcos Acun, while Croatia maintained the same line-up after a penalty shootout. Victory over Brazil last year on Friday.
The first half hour at Lusail Stadium was difficult but the game came alive in the 32nd minute when Álvarez pulled in a nice shot, a shot that sailed past the Croatian defense before goalkeeper Dominik Livaković saw the Argentina number 9 and referee Daniele Orsato controlled. he aimed for the penalty spot.
Messi stepped forward and shot clean from 12 yards out, nailing his shot into the roof of the net to put Argentina ahead and overtake Gabriel Batistuta as the all-time World Cup goalscorer with 11 goals.
Four minutes later, Álvarez incredibly extended Argentina’s lead, taking the ball in his own half and breaking the heart of the Croatian defence, albeit with a bit of luck before the ball slipped cleanly past the 22-year-old. with the toe of his right boot past Livaković from close range.
Argentina almost scored the third goal in the 42nd minute when Alexis Mac Allister headed a corner at the far post, but Livakovic responded brilliantly and shot the corner.
Croatia were second best in the first half and Zlatko Dalić responded with three changes of attack in the first five minutes of the second half, with Nikola Vlašić, Mislav Oršić and Bruno Petković providing much-needed threats in the game. the last third.
However, seven-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi’s inspired play put the game out of reach for Croatia and the Argentine number 10 set up Álvarez’s third goal in the 69th minute.
An intriguing duel between Messi and Josko Guardiola, arguably the world’s best forward and world-best defensive contender, developed on Argentina’s right, but the former won, using his strength and cunning to dodge to the 6-foot-3 quarterback and set up Alvarez one to connect in the six-yard box.
Álvarez, who has already scored four goals at the 2022 World Cup, was denied an opportunity to complete his treble when he came on in the 75th minute for Paulo Dybala, who was making his Qatar debut.
While Messi and Álvarez were Argentina’s brightest stars, it wasn’t destined for Croatian captain Luka Modric in his last dance for Dice, but the 2018 Ballon d’Or winner is leaving the world stage after continuing his legacy as one of his country’s best has consolidated midfielder.
Argentina have now reached their first World Cup final since 2014 and Messi has another shot at glory as he attempts to win the one silverware that eluded him during his remarkable career.
Lineups:
Argentina Replacements: Armani, Foyth, Pezzella, Rulli, Palacios, Correa, Almada, Gomez, Dybala, Jeremias, Lisandro Martinez, Di Maria
Croatia Replacements: Grbic, Ivusic, Stanisic, Barisic, Erlic, Majer, Vlasic, Livaja, Petkovic, Budimir, Orsic, Vida, Sutalo, Sucic, Jakic
Scorers:
Yellow Cards:
