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World Cup 2022: Argentina 3-0 Croatia - Messi and Alvarez put their side into World Cup final

By Phil McNultyChief football writer at Lusail Stadium

Last updated on .From the section World Cup comments 2465

A dazzling performance from Lionel Messi led Argentina to their sixth World Cup final with victory over Croatia at Lusail Stadium.

Messi now gets one last chance to win the piece of silverware that has eluded him in his trophy-laden career, but Manchester City's 22-year-old striker Julian Alvarez also shone as Argentina ensured they will return here on Sunday to face either France or Morocco.

Messi looked to be struggling with a hamstring problem early on but Argentina's little genius recovered enough to break the deadlock from the penalty spot after 34 minutes following Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic's foul on the marauding Alvarez.

Alvarez doubled Argentina's lead five minutes later when he took Messi's header just inside Croatia territory and embarked on a slaloming run, aided by fortunate bounces off Josip Juranovic and Borna Sosa, before beating Livakovic.

There was no fortune involved in a brilliant third after the break as Messi mesmerised Croatia's excellent defender Josko Gvardiol on the byeline before playing in Alvarez for the finish.

Messi will now have the opportunity to make amends for the bitter disappointment of losing the 2014 World Cup final to Germany in Rio's iconic Maracana.

Messi's last crack at World Cup glory

When Messi stretched and clutched the top of his left hamstring 19 minutes into this World Cup semi-final, there was a fear the dream for Argentina and their iconic number 10 might have the nightmare ending.

Instead, Messi recovered after a spell at walking pace to inspire Argentina as they go in search of a third triumph in the tournament following victories in 1978 and 1986.

And what a far cry it was from when Argentina were the victims of what is still the biggest shock of this World Cup in Qatar when they lost their opening game 2-1 to Saudi Arabia, despite Messi putting one of the pre-tournament favourites in front.

It was in 1990 that Argentina were stunned in similar fashion by Cameroon in their first game and went on to reach the final, losing 1-0 to West Germany.

Now they have the chance to go one better as the World Cup reaches its climax. And Messi can finally claim the crown in his final tournament.

Fans in Buenos Aires celebrate Argentina reaching World Cup final

Argentina used this meeting with the stubborn, resilient and talented 2018 finalists Croatia to produce their most convincing performance of this World Cup, suggesting Lionel Scaloni's side are hitting their peak 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 he has, barring accidents, a wonderful career ahead of him.

Much has been made of Manchester City's big spending over the years, but what a coup it was to sign Alvarez from River Plate for the bargain price of £14.1m.

Croatia bow out with heads held high

Croatia were undone, like so many before them, by the brilliance of Messi - as well as his young partner Alvarez - after making a confident and composed start to this World Cup semi-final.

Their defence was exposed in uncharacteristic fashion for Argentina's first two goals and there was little even their outstanding young defender Gvardiol could do about Messi's twisting run that set up the third.

Croatia, however, have had an outstanding tournament once more as the country with a population of only four million followed up their appearance in the final in Russia in 2018 with a place in the last four in Qatar.

If Argentina have Messi, then Croatia have their own master footballer in Luka Modric and he received warm applause from all parts of Lusail Stadium when he was substituted with nine minutes left.

He, like Messi, had his sights set on a World Cup triumph after experiencing the same pain of final defeat, 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 they have unearthed one of the break-out stars of this World Cup who will serve them well for many years and is already a serious target for Europe's elite clubs.

Player of the match

MessiLionel Messi

with an average of 8.46

Argentina

  1. Squad number10Player nameMessi
    Average rating

    8.46

  2. Squad number9Player nameÁlvarez
    Average rating

    8.41

  3. Squad number20Player nameMac Allister
    Average rating

    7.69

  4. Squad number23Player nameE Martínez
    Average rating

    6.95

  5. Squad number24Player nameFernández
    Average rating

    6.81

  6. Squad number7Player nameDe Paul
    Average rating

    6.80

  7. Squad number19Player nameOtamendi
    Average rating

    6.74

  8. Squad number26Player nameMolina
    Average rating

    6.73

  9. Squad number13Player nameRomero
    Average rating

    6.69

  10. Squad number3Player nameTagliafico
    Average rating

    6.66

  11. Squad number5Player nameParedes
    Average rating

    6.54

  12. Squad number25Player nameLi Martínez
    Average rating

    6.30

  13. Squad number21Player nameDybala
    Average rating

    6.21

  14. Squad number14Player namePalacios
    Average rating

    6.03

  15. Squad number2Player nameFoyth
    Average rating

    5.90

  16. Squad number15Player nameCorrea
    Average rating

    5.88

Croatia

  1. Squad number10Player nameModric
    Average rating

    7.21

  2. Squad number8Player nameKovacic
    Average rating

    6.42

  3. Squad number4Player namePerisic
    Average rating

    5.94

  4. Squad number11Player nameBrozovic
    Average rating

    5.92

  5. Squad number1Player nameLivakovic
    Average rating

    5.81

  6. Squad number22Player nameJuranovic
    Average rating

    5.80

  7. Squad number15Player namePasalic
    Average rating

    5.63

  8. Squad number20Player nameGvardiol
    Average rating

    5.62

  9. Squad number9Player nameKramaric
    Average rating

    5.50

  10. Squad number13Player nameVlasic
    Average rating

    5.49

  11. Squad number6Player nameLovren
    Average rating

    5.42

  12. Squad number18Player nameOrsic
    Average rating

    5.33

  13. Squad number7Player nameMajer
    Average rating

    5.31

  14. Squad number16Player namePetkovic
    Average rating

    5.30

  15. Squad number19Player nameSosa
    Average rating

    5.15

  16. Squad number14Player nameLivaja
    Average rating

    5.05

Line-ups

Argentina

Formation 4-4-2

  • 23E Martínez
  • 26Molina Substituted forFoythat 86'minutes
  • 13RomeroBooked at 68mins
  • 19OtamendiBooked at 71mins
  • 3Tagliafico
  • 7De Paul Substituted forPalaciosat 74'minutes
  • 5Paredes Substituted forLi Martínezat 62'minutes
  • 24Fernández
  • 20Mac Allister Substituted forCorreaat 86'minutes
  • 10Messi
  • 9Álvarez Substituted forDybalaat 74'minutes

Substitutes

  • 1Armani
  • 2Foyth
  • 6Pezzella
  • 11Di María
  • 12Rulli
  • 14Palacios
  • 15Correa
  • 16Almada
  • 18Rodríguez
  • 21Dybala
  • 22La Martínez
  • 25Li Martínez

Croatia

Formation 4-3-3

  • 1LivakovicBooked at 32mins
  • 22Juranovic
  • 6Lovren
  • 20Gvardiol
  • 19Sosa Substituted forOrsicat 45'minutes
  • 10Modric Substituted forMajerat 81'minutes
  • 11Brozovic Substituted forPetkovicat 50'minutes
  • 8KovacicBooked at 32mins
  • 15Pasalic Substituted forVlasicat 45'minutes
  • 9Kramaric Substituted forLivajaat 72'minutes
  • 4Perisic

Substitutes

  • 2Stanisic
  • 3Barisic
  • 5Erlic
  • 7Majer
  • 12Grbic
  • 13Vlasic
  • 14Livaja
  • 16Petkovic
  • 17Budimir
  • 18Orsic
  • 21Vida
  • 23Ivusic
  • 24Sutalo
  • 25Sucic
  • 26Jakic
Referee:
Daniele Orsato
Attendance:
88,966

Match Stats

Home TeamArgentinaAway TeamCroatia
Possession
Home39%
Away61%
Shots
Home9
Away12
Shots on Target
Home7
Away2
Corners
Home2
Away4
Fouls
Home15
Away8

Live Text

  1. Post update

    Match ends, Argentina 3, Croatia 0.

  2. Full Time

    Second Half ends, Argentina 3, Croatia 0.

  3. Post update

    Attempt missed. Dejan Lovren (Croatia) left footed shot from outside the box is just a bit too high. Assisted by Mislav Orsic.

  4. Post update

    Attempt missed. Nikola Vlasic (Croatia) left footed shot from the right side of the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Mateo Kovacic.

  5. Post update

    Corner, Croatia. Conceded by Nicolás Tagliafico.

  6. Post update

    Mateo Kovacic (Croatia) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  7. Post update

    Foul by Exequiel Palacios (Argentina).

  8. Post update

    Foul by Lovro Majer (Croatia).

  9. Post update

    Ángel Correa (Argentina) wins a free kick on the left wing.

  10. Post update

    Attempt saved. Lovro Majer (Croatia) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Mateo Kovacic.

  11. Post update

    Dejan Lovren (Croatia) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  12. Post update

    Foul by Paulo Dybala (Argentina).

  13. Substitution

    Substitution, Argentina. Juan Foyth replaces Nahuel Molina.

  14. Substitution

    Substitution, Argentina. Ángel Correa replaces Alexis Mac Allister.

  15. Post update

    Corner, Croatia. Conceded by Nicolás Tagliafico.

  16. Post update

    Attempt missed. Alexis Mac Allister (Argentina) right footed shot from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Paulo Dybala following a set piece situation.

  17. Post update

    Foul by Marko Livaja (Croatia).

  18. Post update

    Exequiel Palacios (Argentina) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

  19. Substitution

    Substitution, Croatia. Lovro Majer replaces Luka Modric.

  20. Post update

    Attempt missed. Mislav Orsic (Croatia) right footed shot from the left side of the box is close, but misses the top right corner. Assisted by Ivan Perisic.

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Comments

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2465 comments

  • Comment posted by midnightrun, at 21:01 13 Dec 2022

    Messi - in the World Cup final.

    Ronaldo - best pals with Piers Morgan.

    Goodnight.

  • Comment posted by Specialist_in_tailoring, at 21:00 13 Dec 2022

    Hats off to Argentina! The Croatians were beaten fair and square.

    And great to see Modric congratulating them afterwards unlike a certain goat!

    • Reply posted by Justfacts, at 21:03 13 Dec 2022

      Justfacts replied:
      Beware false goats.

  • Comment posted by reckless, at 21:02 13 Dec 2022

    Messi is both a playmaking genius and a prolific goalscorer. The bow and the arrow. That is why he is the greatest of all time.

    • Reply posted by aufc, at 21:10 13 Dec 2022

      aufc replied:
      Anyone down voting this is clueless, he is that very rare combination of both. The bow and arrow indeed

  • Comment posted by Rseer, at 21:00 13 Dec 2022

    Messi is (and always was by the way) better than Ronaldo.

    A word for Alvarez as well who was excellent tonight.

    • Reply posted by disgustedofwells, at 21:13 13 Dec 2022

      disgustedofwells replied:
      Messi’s so much more of a team player!
      Alvarez could leave Man City, without more game time, he’s gifted too.

  • Comment posted by George Williams, at 21:01 13 Dec 2022

    The Argentina coach deserves massive credit for making it into the final

    Spare a thought for L.Modric, an excellent playing career comes to an end, a fabulous player.

    • Reply posted by Y0U, at 21:03 13 Dec 2022

      Y0U replied:
      He isn't retiring. He'll be playing club football in about a week.

  • Comment posted by FM, at 21:03 13 Dec 2022

    Well, unlike Ronaldo, Modric stayed till the end, waved to his fans and console his teammates.

    • Reply posted by ren, at 21:10 13 Dec 2022

      ren replied:
      And unlike Messi in the previous match.

  • Comment posted by Pete, at 21:03 13 Dec 2022

    That build up for the third goal surely has to be the assist of the tournament!

    • Reply posted by disgustedofwells, at 21:11 13 Dec 2022

      disgustedofwells replied:
      Without doubt

  • Comment posted by Commentier, at 21:03 13 Dec 2022

    Admit it, you’d rather Messi picked up that elusive World Cup than Ronaldo.

    • Reply posted by liverpool supporter right here, at 21:07 13 Dec 2022

      liverpool supporter right here replied:
      This has to be the most rigged World Cup ever. How the heck has Argentina already been awarded five penalties so far

  • Comment posted by Alex, at 21:00 13 Dec 2022

    For those complaining previously why all the Messi worship I think that performance explains it, utter filth of an assist

    • Reply posted by Footy_fan, at 21:19 13 Dec 2022

      Footy_fan replied:
      5 goals and 4 assists so far says it all…

  • Comment posted by Winners And Sinners, at 21:00 13 Dec 2022

    As soon as Argentina scored, Croatia’s gameplan went right out of the window and they desperately looked for plan B, which they did not have.

    • Reply posted by midnightrun, at 21:04 13 Dec 2022

      midnightrun replied:
      I'm glad Croatia didn't win. France would have destroyed them, Morocco would out-bus-park them.

  • Comment posted by Dragonborn, at 21:03 13 Dec 2022

    As a neutral, I hope the Argies do it on Sunday for Messi. What a player. What a legacy.

    • Reply posted by liverpool supporter right here, at 21:07 13 Dec 2022

      liverpool supporter right here replied:
      Is he better than Maradona

  • Comment posted by Lewis, at 21:20 13 Dec 2022

    Watch and learn Southgate. This is how you win a knock out game. Same urgency with attack from the 1st minute to the last. No wasting valuable time at the beginning "sizing up" the opposition. They were 2 goals up and still trying to score. No sitting deep or passive play.

    • Reply posted by rossco, at 22:27 13 Dec 2022

      rossco replied:
      Southgate will disappear once his england job finishes

  • Comment posted by Andyt1992, at 21:02 13 Dec 2022

    I know people in the comment sections act like the focus is too much on Messi but he showed his class today. Absolutely magical player even at the age of 35, pulling strings all game. That being said, the difference this year is that he is surrounded by players that truly look capable of picking up the slack

    • Reply posted by margaret, at 22:07 13 Dec 2022

      margaret replied:
      We have a chance in 4 years time when he isn't there, come on Gareth !

  • Comment posted by D1690544647152, at 21:03 13 Dec 2022

    Best footballer I've personally ever seen. Hope they win it on Sunday.

    • Reply posted by Jimmy D, at 21:06 13 Dec 2022

      Jimmy D replied:
      You're obviously not very old

  • Comment posted by markthelegendkid, at 20:59 13 Dec 2022

    Hopefully Argentina will win the World Cup and Lionel Messi will win player of the tournament.

    Argentina fans deserve it they’ve been absolutely magnificent with their support for their country.

    Croatia did Argentina a big favour knocking out Brazil.

    The best thing about Messi potentially winning the WC is that he won’t have been carried by his team. He’s been by far their best player.

    • Reply posted by Roger68, at 21:05 13 Dec 2022

      Roger68 replied:
      messi won player of the tournament before it even started... FIFA would have seen to that

  • Comment posted by Hum, at 20:59 13 Dec 2022

    Messi the true GOAT. Not an opinion. A fact. Ronaldo offers just goals. Messi offers goals and so much more!

    • Reply posted by blues1959, at 21:04 13 Dec 2022

      blues1959 replied:
      Yes true and wasnt it brilliant to see the humility shown by Luca Modric at the end of the game! Shame his old mate at Madrid ddnt show the same respect to his opponents instead of running off down the tunnel crying

  • Comment posted by matt, at 21:12 13 Dec 2022

    difference between Messi and Ronaldo can be seen in that 2nd goal. I have always believed that you can tell a true team player from how they celebrate another team mates goal. Messi was overjoyed that his team was 2-0 in a semi final. I don't believe he gives a monkey about who scores it as long as the team win.

    • Reply posted by Footy_fan, at 21:52 13 Dec 2022

      Footy_fan replied:
      agreed

  • Comment posted by sam, at 21:06 13 Dec 2022

    Neville and Wright in the ITV studio are hilarious. At half time they insist the incident was not a penalty.!
    I wonder if they’d say the same thing had it been Kane.

    • Reply posted by Roger68, at 21:10 13 Dec 2022

      Roger68 replied:
      unless it was United or Arsenal... then it would have been a nailed on penalty and the keeper should have got a 10 match ban for such a heinous assault

  • Comment posted by Sultan of swing, at 20:59 13 Dec 2022

    Sleep well Messi critics and Ronaldo fans! Messi the Goat! Go Argentina!

    • Reply posted by cooperman, at 21:22 13 Dec 2022

      cooperman replied:
      Bet Ronaldo's delighted - not

  • Comment posted by Noisy Neighbour, at 21:03 13 Dec 2022

    Messi The GREATEST!

    • Reply posted by The Spin Doctor, at 21:08 13 Dec 2022

      The Spin Doctor replied:
      Forty years later, it is the Argentineans who are the ones currently smiling, not the British.

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