FIFA World Cup World Cup 2022: Messi Inspires Argentina To Reach Final

A motivated Argentina defeated Croatia 3-0 on Tuesday to advance to their second World Cup final in eight years. Lionel Messi scored from the penalty spot and Julian Alvarez netted two goals.

The two-time world champions put on their greatest performance of the tournament to win the Lusail Stadium crowd’s support and guarantee their place in Sunday’s final against the winner of the match between France and Morocco, the event’s defending winners, on Wednesday.

Messi, 35, who lost to Germany in the 2014 World Cup final, is keen to round off his remarkable career by winning his first World Cup and giving Argentina its third championship, after those won in 1978 and 1986.

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Moreover, following a flawlessly executed victory-spurring move by his team.

Additionally, he ensured the victory by superbly setting up the third goal after setting his team on the path to victory with a perfectly executed first-half penalty.

Croatia, who finished second in Russia four years ago, paid the price for some very bad defence by exiting the tournament in the semifinals for the second time after losing to France in their inaugural match in 1998.

Enzo Fernandez’s low pot attempt from beyond the box in the 25th minute was the game’s first indication of life, but Croatian goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic did well to reach over and block it.

It was a close match until Fernandez lofted a simple ball over the top, which the Croatian defense couldn’t handle. Alvarez pounced on it and knocked the ball past the charging Livakovic, who then collided with the striker, and Italian referee Daniele Orsato pointed to the spot.

The Argentine’s brilliantly placed shot went high into the net to give his team the lead in the 34th minute, despite Livakovic’s accurate prediction that Messi would move to his left.

With his fifth goal of the competition, Messi is now tied for the lead with Kylian Mbappe of France in scoring.

He surpassed Gabriel Batistuta to become Argentina’s all-time leading scorer in the World Cup with his 11th career goal, which came in a record-equaling 25th World Cup appearance.


At halftime, Nikola Vlasic and Mislav Orsic were replaced by Croatian coach Zlatko Dalic, who also inserted striker Bruno Petkovic five minutes later.

Although they were good plays, Argentina still appeared to be the more threatening team when Messi forced a save at the near post following a quick interchange with Fernandez.

However, Messi left his best for last, harassing 20-year-old defender Josko Gvardial down the right before leaving him behind and passing the ball back to Alvarez, who calmly buried the goal.

While Argentina and Messi were clearly peaking just in time for the most important game of their lives, Croatia was already over.


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