Argentina vs Croatia : Lionel Messi impressed again as he helped Argentina reach their sixth World Cup final with a 3-0 win over Croatia in the first semi-final of the FIFA World Cup 2022 on Wednesday.
Argentina vs Croatia : Vintage Messi and Alvarez send Argentina into FIFA final
Lionel Messi impressed again as he helped Argentina reach their sixth World Cup final with a 3-0 win over Croatia in the first semi-final of the FIFA World Cup 2022 on Wednesday. Messi scored a goal and provided a valuable assist, while Julian Alvarez scored twice for the two-time champions at the Lucille Stadium.
Argentina are in the #FIFAWorldCup Final! 🔥@adidasfootball | #Qatar2022
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) December 13, 2022
Argentina gave 2018 finalists Croatia no chance of a comeback after going 2-0 up at the half-time break. Messi broke the deadlock in the 34th minute by scoring from the spot, his fifth goal of the tournament.
Alvarez doubled the lead five minutes later with a superb solo goal in the 39th minute. It was game over for Croatia when Alvarez made it 3–0 for Argentina in the 69th minute after Messi got his vintage form to set up the chance.
Argentina will now play the winner of Thursday’s other semi-final between France and Morocco at the Summit clash on Sunday.
Argentina vs Croatia Match Highlights
While all eyes were on captain Messi and his fifth bid to win a major trophy eluded him, it was Alvarez who almost stole the show, winning a penalty and scoring once in each half. A spectacular 50m race was also included.
Messi became his country’s all-time World Cup top scorer with 11 goals The 22-year-old Manchester City forward took things into his own hands in the 34th minute after a spot-kick was fouled by goalkeeper Dominik Levkovic. After five minutes add Argentina Add Another Super goal.
The pair combined perfectly for Álvarez to score his second goal in the 69th, after Messi’s header on the byline was a perfect cut to put Argentina through to their sixth World Cup final.
𝑴𝒖𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒄𝒉𝒐𝒔 🎶 pic.twitter.com/Nc4hxKjGHt
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) December 13, 2022
As recently as the 2014 final, Argentina would be looking for a third world crown after victories in 1978 and 1986.
Winning a world title would also add to the legendary status of Messi, a seven-time Ballon d’Or winner Leo Messi and they want to give tribute the late Diego Maradona.
They will face either defending champions France on Sunday or surprise package Morocco, the first Arab country in the World Cup semi-finals, who play each other on Wednesday.
Croatia, the 2018 runners-up, wanted possession early, as they did in their quarter-final against Brazil, and circulated the ball well but struggled to find a way into Argentina’s box.
The South Americans, who have won every World Cup semi-final they have contested so far, were cheered by fans who surrounded the Croats in the stands at Sunday’s Lucille Stadium.
ALSO WATCH : England vs France Highlights: France beat England 2-1 to reach World Cup semi-finals
They roared loudly when Alvarez, who had his best chance with a low shot in the 25th minute, was brought down in the penalty box.
Messi, who with his 25th appearance equaled Germany’s Luther Matthias as the joint record holder for most World Cup appearances, was sent to Argentina after Croatia assistant coach Mario Mandzukic was sent off due to disagreements. beat Levkovic to lead.
But the best was yet to come and it was Alvarez, nicknamed ‘The Spider’, who picked up Messi’s pass in his own half, ran 50 meters into the Croatia box, collected two lucky bounces and scored another before Some sloppy rescues.
Levkovic, who had saved Croatia in penalty shootout victories over Japan and Brazil to reach the last four, did well to keep out an Alexis McAllister header on the stroke of half-time to equalize after 45 minutes.
However, unlike their extra-time comeback against tournament favorites Brazil, there was no way for Croatia this time.
Argentina were in no mood to let go of their two-goal lead, as they did against Holland in the last eight, and did not drop a single spot.
Alvarez ended any Croatia hopes in the 69th, tapping in a cut-back after Messi had fouled defender Josco Guardiola in the box to pick his teammate off right, as the Balkan nation sealed their exit from the tournament Gave.
