Argentina 3-0 Croatia
Lionel Messi and Argentina are in the World Cup 2022 final. The little maestro orchestrated another masterpiece in the semis as La Albiceleste crushed last year’s losing finalists Croatia 3-0 to reach their second final in eight years.
Messi’s young strike partner, Julian Alvarez, continued his breakout tournament with a memorable brace. He scored his first after a brilliant solo run, then finished Messi’s own magical run for his second, which finished off Croatia’s incredible campaign.
Meanwhile, Messi and Argentina march on as they continue to close in on that elusive world championship in Qatar.
Highlights of the game
Argentina strayed from their favoured 4-3-3 formation as they went with a 3-5-2 in the quarter-finals against the Netherlands. And Lionel Scaloni again changed his formation against Croatia, this time starting with a 4-4-2, with four central midfielders and Julian Alvarez partnering Messi up front.
Similar to the Netherlands game, Scaloni set his side up to neutralise Croatia’s big strength, which is in midfield. And that strategy worked to an extent as there were hardly any World Cup 2022 highlights to speak of for nearly the first half-hour.
Enzo Fernandez had the first real chance on goal on 25 minutes with a speculative long-range shot which Dominik Livakovic was able to punch away.
And it was only a few minutes later that Argentina would get their breakthrough. Fernandez lofted a ball over the top to Julian Alvarez, who was able to get in behind the Croatian backline and had a one-on-one with Livakovic. Alvarez’s shot was cleared off the line, but he was clattered by Livakovic upon shooting, so the referee pointed to the penalty spot.
Lionel Messi stepped up to take the pressure-packed penalty, and he made no mistake as he rifled the ball into the top corner, giving penalty shootout hero Livakovic no chance.
And it would take Argentina just five minutes to double their lead. They countered quickly off a Croatia corner, and Alvarez went from inside his own half all the way to score a sensational solo goal to send the Argentina supporters into raptures.
The two Croatian full-backs both had their chance to clear the ball away, but it just bounced straight back to Alvarez, who kept his composure to poke the ball past Livakovic.
Argentina came close to going three goals clear of Croatia three minutes from half-time. Alexis Mac Allister had a free header from a corner, but Livakovic made an outstanding save to keep his side in the game.
But it only was more of the same Argentina dominance in the second half. Livakovic again had to make a smart save on his near post to deny Messi a second goal near the hour mark.
And the third goal that Argentina had been searching for to close the game out finally came on 69 minutes. Messi again produced a moment of magic as he went on a mesmerising run that started from close to the halfway line, turned Josko Gvardiol inside out, then set up Alvarez for his second goal.
That was basically all she wrote for Croatia, as the Argentines comfortably saw off the last 20 minutes of the match to book another trip to the World Cup final.
Key statistics
Messi’s magical World Cup 2022 run continues. With his goal against Croatia, he has now pulled level with PSG teammate Kylian Mbappe in the Golden Boot race with five goals. Messi’s goal was also historic as he became Argentina’s all-time leading World Cup goalscorer with 11 goals, breaking his tie with the great “Batigol”, Gabriel Batistuta.
Messi has also drawn level with Antoine Griezmann, Harry Kane, and Bruno Fernandes for the tournament lead with three assists.
Meanwhile, Messi’s teammate Julian Alvarez is also very much in the Golden Boot race. The Man City man has now scored four goals in four World Cup starts. Had he been born a year later, perhaps he would have been a leading candidate to win the Young Player Award along with teammate Enzo Fernandez.
What’s next?
It’s off to the final for Messi and Argentina, although they must wait to see who their opponents will be. The SBOTOP World Cup 2022 odds will be significantly in their favour should Morocco shock the world once more and knock off reigning champions France.
But Les Bleus are still the overwhelming favourites to go on to their second straight final, setting up the dream matchup between PSG teammates, Messi vs Mbappe.
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