FIFA World Cup: Lionel Messi sends Argentina into World Cup final
Lionel Messi scored a penalty and gave a fantastic assist to Julian Alvarez, who scored a brace as Argentina defeated Croatia 3-0 to advance to the World Cup final.
Lionel Messi was the creator who sent Argentina to the final.The 35-year-old is one of the greatest players of all time and will make his last appearance on the world stage at Lusail Stadium against France or Morocco.
Messi scored from the penalty spot before Manchester City striker Alvarez finished a solo run with an excellent finish and then benefited from a brilliant assist from the captain in a 3-0 semi-final win over Croatia.
The Paris St. Germain star finished the 2014 World Cup as runner-up, and his determination to finally get his hands on the trophy was precise in Qatar, where thousands turned out in droves to cheer him on.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Delivering for their country... again! 🇦🇷<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FIFAWorldCup?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FIFAWorldCup</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ARG?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ARG</a> <a href="https://t.co/nCu9SW5Fys">pic.twitter.com/nCu9SW5Fys</a></p>— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) <a href="https://twitter.com/FIFAWorldCup/status/1602750744528146434?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 13, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Zlatko Dalic's Croatians got off to a better start in Lusail when Dominik Livakovic clumsily brought down Alvarez, and Messi fired the resulting penalty past him.
Alvarez put Lionel Scaloni's side ahead before half-time when he ran out of his half and fired the ball into the net after several deflections and a poor defensive performance.
The 22-year-old scored his second goal against the 2018 finalists after being set up by Messi following an exquisite pass from the team captain. His team can now make themselves immortal along with the heroes of 1978 and 1986.
The Albiceleste were given every support by their Qatar fans, who incessantly chanted and drummed rhythmically after a nervous start against Dalic's brilliant and well-coached team.
Old star Luka Modric played some incisive passes, and Mateo Kovacic was a driving force in midfield, but this outstanding unit lacked an elite striker.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FIFAWorldCup?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FIFAWorldCup</a> Legend ❤️ <a href="https://t.co/ykrHdPOcvI">pic.twitter.com/ykrHdPOcvI</a></p>— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) <a href="https://twitter.com/FIFAWorldCup/status/1602773677405220864?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 13, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Croatia failed to create a clear-cut chance before Enzo Fernandez blocked a hopeful shot as Argentina slowly blossomed.
Shortly after, Alvarez had a chance to open the scoring after he sent a ball across the goal but was brought down by Livakovic.
Referee Daniele Orsato pointed to the spot, carded the goalkeeper and a frustrated Kovacic, and eventually sent off assistant coach Mario Mandzukic.
Livakovic went the right way, but Messi's massive penalty landed in the top right corner in the 34th minute, making him his country's all-time leading scorer in World Cup history.
The 35-year-old made history on Tuesday when he only stepped onto the pitch to equal Lothar Matthaeus' record (25 games).
Argentina doubled the lead in the 39th minute when a Croatia corner kick was blocked, and Alvarez charged forward from his half.
The 22-year-old held his nerve under pressure from Marcelo Brozovic just outside the penalty area and slotted home after Josip Juranovic and Borna Sosa had released him to slide the ball past Livakovic deftly.
Argentina pressed for a quick third goal. Josko Gvardiol's penalty appeal fell on deaf ears, and Livakovic brilliantly parried Alexis Mac Allister's resulting corner kick. A Modric shot was blocked, and Martinez did well to prevent Juranovic from firing the ball into the net just before the break.
Dalic substituted two players in the second half to reduce the deficit, but the lack of a striker continued to trouble them.
Messi failed to beat Livakovic from an acute angle as Argentina tried to find gaps - although their captain can find gaps few thought existed.
In the 69th minute, the captain stormed past Gvardiol after showing impressive ball control. The talented Croatian defender eventually returned, but Messi turned him around and laid back to Alvarez, who slid the ball into the net.
That goal ended the contest. Ivan Perisic had a free kick blocked, and Modric was taken out of the game to the applause of the fans.
Mac Allister missed with a volley, and substitute Lovro Majer tried his luck in the closing stages.
The Argentine bench bounced in unison with the chants of the Argentine fans before the final whistle led to wild cheers.