Eko Hot Blog reports that Lionel Messi led his Argentine side to the World Cup final in Qatar on Tuesday.
The ruthless Argentines were too hot for the clueless Croatians to handle.
Tuesday’s semifinal clash started as a tight affair until Argentina were awarded a penalty, which Messi coolly dispatched into the top right corner. It was Messi’s fifth goal of the tournament, making him joint top-scorer with France’s Kylian Mbappe.
Lionel Messi against Croatia
Five minutes later, Argentina doubled their lead when, after a break from a corner, Alvarez picked the ball up inside his own half and began a long dribble goalwards.
With the Croatian defence backing off, Alvarez rode weak challenges from Josip Juranovic and Borna Sosa and then slipped the ball past Livakovic to send the heavily Argentine crowd into delirium.
All Croatia could muster in response, before the break, was a low Juranovic cross-shot that Emiliano Martinez reacted well to.
Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic responded with a double substitution at the break, introducing Nikola Vlasic and Mislav Orsic, and five minutes later threw on striker Bruno Petkovic.
They were positive moves but still Argentina looked the more dangerous with Messi, after a swift exchange with Fernandez, forcing a save at the near post.
Messi saved his best for last though, tormenting Josko Gvardiol down the right before leaving the 20-year-old defender behind and pulling the ball back to Alvarez who coolly slotted home for 3-0.
The PSG forward, who suffered defeat to Germany in the 2014 final, is desperate to crown his extraordinary career by winning his first World Cup and bringing Argentina a third title to add to those won in 1978 and 1986.
Argentina will face the winner of Wednesday’s clash between France and Morocco in the 2022 World Cup final.
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