At the forefront of everything for Argentina in their 3-0 World Cup triumph over Croatia on Tuesday, Lionel Messi, the team’s talisman and captain, was in brilliant form during his side’s semifinal match at Lusail Stadium. He was the highlight of the evening, as he always is. When one of the greatest players of all time is 35 years old and seeking the ultimate affirmation, that is how it happens.
He contributed to his team’s opening goal by calmly and forcefully converting from the penalty spot following some good build-up play from others. Julián Lvarez’s stunning solo run led to Argentina’s second.
The real masterstroke came after 69 minutes when Messi made a brilliant move from close to the halfway line, before slipping a pass for Alvarez to complete and eliminate any hope of a comeback.
After goalkeeper Dominik Livakovi fouled Vargas in the box in minute 34, Messi drove an unstoppable penalty into the top corner.In addition to putting the South Americans ahead against the odds, it also gave Messi the opportunity to surpass Gabriel Batistuta as his country’s all-time World Cup best scorer with 11, breaking their tie.
Argentina’s shocking upset loss to Saudi Arabia in the tournament’s opening match makes it seem like a lifetime ago. At the time, it was unclear whether Argentina would be able to go past the group stage.
It is now possible to equal Diego Maradona’s legendary 1986 championship and make up for the disappointment of 2014, when Messi performed admirably in the lead-up to the final but was outplayed by Germany on the big night.
Here, Argentina’s surge near the end of the first half and the goal that changed the game’s atmosphere early on set everything up. During a quick break when Croatia was pushing, Lvarez was clear and unmarked before being fouled by Livakovi, who was given a booking as a result.
Livaković, so effective in penalty shootouts for Croatia, had no chance when Messi’s left-foot effort was angled perfectly, high and to the keeper’s left.
With two scoreless ties in the group stage, a comeback victory against Canada, and two shootout victories after tying the score against Japan and Brazil, Croatia failed to open the scoring in any of its games during the tournament.
The 2018 finalist would have wanted to have had a chance to win this game after falling behind by two goals, but that was a different scenario.
The second occurred when Lvarez started a counterattack and had the option of passing to both sides but chose to go it alone instead. After two rebounds from opponents fell into his path, the Manchester City forward pushed the ball home to extend the lead.
Minutes later, it was almost three when Alexis Mac Allister’s header was saved by Livakovi, and instantly, Croatia, who had been so resolute throughout the campaign behind the excellent midfield play of Luka Modri, had lost their edge.
Zlatko Dalić’s side attempted to press forward in the second half, but Argentina had things under control. Messi, naturally, wasn’t finished yet. His tap-dancing run would not be thwarted, and when he reached the finish line, he only needed to knock it into the path of the unmarked lvarez.
Argentina’s Julian Alvarez makes it 3-0 in the 69th minute, putting Argentina in complete control.
Argentina’s Julian Alvarez makes it 3-0 in the 69th minute, putting Argentina in complete control.
Messi will now head to the finals of his fifth World Cup and will be hoping to win it after several attempts.
