Lionel Messi’s superb performance took Argentina to their sixth World Cup final by defeating Croatia at the Lucille Stadium.
Messi now has one last chance to win the piece of silverware that has eluded him in a trophy-laden career, but Manchester City’s 22-year-old striker Julian Alvarez also shone as Argentina made sure they won here on Sunday. Will come back or face France again. Morocco
Messi initially appeared to be struggling with a hamstring problem but the diminutive Argentine genius recovered enough to break the deadlock from the penalty spot after 34 minutes after Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Levakovic fouled the marauding Alvarez. .
Alvarez doubled Argentina’s lead five minutes later when he took Messi’s header just inside Croatian territory before beating Levakovic to set off a swaggering run that was fortunately helped by bounces from Josip Juranovic and Borna Sosa.
There was no luck involved in a brilliant third after the break as Messi dazzled Croatia’s best defender Josco Guardiola on the byline before playing the final ball into Alvarez.
Messi will now have the chance to atone for the bitter disappointment of losing to Germany in the 2014 World Cup final at Rio’s iconic Maracana.
Messi’s last crack at World Cup honors
When Messi stretched and strained the top of his left hamstring 19 minutes into that World Cup semi-final, there was a fear that the dream for Argentina and their iconic No.10 could be over.
Instead, Messi recovered from a spell at pace to impress Argentina as they seek a third victory at the tournament after victories in 1978 and 1986.
And how far was it when Argentina suffered the biggest shock of this World Cup in Qatar when they lost their first match 2-1 to Saudi Arabia, despite Messi’s pre-tournament Added one of my favorites to it. in front
It was in 1990 that Argentina were stunned in similar fashion by Cameroon in their first game and reached the final, losing 1-0 to West Germany.
Now they have a chance to go one better as the World Cup reaches its climax. And Messi can finally claim the crown in his final tournament.
Argentina used the meeting with stubborn, resilient and talented 2018 finalists Croatia to produce their most convincing performance at this World Cup, suggesting Lionel Scaloni’s side are peaking at the perfect time. .
Messi, inevitably, was at the heart of it all and involved in every goal, but Alvarez has shown in Qatar that, barring accidents, he has a brilliant career ahead of him.
Manchester City have made a lot of big spenders over the years but what a coup it was to sign Alvarez from River Plate for the bargain price of £14.1m.
Croatia bowed with heads held high.
Having made a confident and determined start to this World Cup semi-final, with Messi as well as his young teammate Alvarez’s impressive performances, Croatia were undone like so many before them.
Argentina’s defense came up abysmal for Argentina’s first two goals and even their brilliant young defender Guardiola could do nothing about Messi’s curling run that netted the third goal.
However, Croatia have once again had an impressive tournament as the nation of just four million made it to the finals in Russia in 2018 after finishing in the last four alongside Qatar.
If Argentina have Messi, Croatia have their master footballer in Luka Modric and with nine minutes remaining he received a standing ovation from all over the Lucille Stadium.
He, like Messi, had set his sights on World Cup victory after suffering the same pain of defeat in the final, but it was not to be.
Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic and his players can be proud of their efforts despite being well beaten here, and in 20-year-old RB Leipzig defender Gvardiol, he has unearthed one of the breakout stars of this World Cup. which will serve them well. For several years now and is already a serious target for Europe’s elite clubs.
