NEW DELHI: Lionel Messi mesmerised again as he helped Argentina storm into their sixth World Cup final by defeating Croatia 3-0 in the first semi-final of the FIFA World Cup 2022 on Wednesday. Messi scored a goal and produced a stunning assist, while Julian Alvarez struck two goals for the two-time champions at Lusail stadium.
Argentina did not allow the 2018 finalists Croatia any chance to make a comeback after going 2-0 up at the halftime break. Messi broke the deadlock with a goal from the spot in the 34th minute, his fifth of the tournament.
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Alvarez then doubled the lead five minutes later with a superb solo goal in the 39th minute. The game was all over for Croatia when Alvarez made it 3-0 for Argentina in the 69th minute after Messi brought out his vintage self to create the chance.
Argentina will now play the winners of the second semi-final between France and Morocco, on Thursday, in the summit clash on Sunday.
While all eyes were on captain Messi and his fifth bid to win the one major trophy eluding him, it was Alvarez who almost stole the show, earning the penalty and scoring once in each half including after a scintillating 50-metre run.
Messi put away the spot kick in the 34th minute, after Alvarez was brought down by goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic, to become his country's all-time World Cup top scorer with 11 goals, before the 22-year-old Manchester City forward took matters into his own hands to add a second five minutes later.
The pair combined perfectly in the 69th for Alvarez to tap in his second goal following a mesmerising Messi drive to the byline and perfect cut-back to make sure of Argentina's sixth World Cup final appearance.
Finalists as recently as 2014, Argentina will look to land a third world crown after victories in 1978 and 1986.
Clinching the world title would also elevate seven-time Ballon D'Or winner Messi to the mythical status that the late Diego Maradona enjoys in Argentina.
On Sunday they will face either defending champions France or surprise package Morocco, the first Arab country in a World Cup semi-final, who play each other on Wednesday.
Croatia, the 2018 runners-up, wanted possession at the start, as they had done against Brazil in their quarter-final, and circulated the ball well but struggled to find a way into the Argentina box.
The South Americans, who have now won every World Cup semi-final they have contested, enjoyed fiery support from their fans who far outnumbered the Croats in the stands of Lusail stadium, also the site for Sunday's showcase.
1/10:Messi and Alvarez fire Argentina past Croatia into World Cup final
2/10:Argentina beat Croatia 3-0
<p>An inspired Lionel Messi scored from the penalty spot and Julian Alvarez struck twice as Argentina beat Croatia 3-0 to reach their second World Cup final in eight years.</p>
3/10:Fans boost Argentina
<p>The two-time world champions, backed by a huge majority of the crowd at the Lusail Stadium, produced their best display of the tournament to ensure they will meet the winners of Thursday's semi-final clash between holders France and Morocco in Sunday's final.</p>
4/10:Messi is closer to his dream
<p>Messi, 35, 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.</p>
5/10:Sloppy Croatia paid the price
<p>Croatia, runners-up in Russia four years ago, paid the price for some untypically poor defending as they went out in the last four for the second time after their 1998 loss to France in their maiden tournament.</p>
6/10:Messi breaks the deadlock
<p>Livakovic guessed correctly that Messi would go to his left but his dive was in vain as the Argentine's sweetly struck drive flew high into the net to put his side 1-0 up in the 34th minute.</p>
7/10:Record day for Messi
<p>It was Messi's fifth goal of the tournament, making him joint top-scorer with France's Kylian Mbappe. His 11th career goal in a record-equalling 25th World Cup appearance -- also took him past Gabriel Batistuta as Argentina's all-time World Cup top scorer.</p>
8/10:Alvarez scores a solo goal
<p>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.</p>
9/10:Croatia look for super subs
<p>Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic responded with a double substitution at the break, introducing Nikola Vlasic and Mislav Orsic, and five minutes later and threw on striker Bruno Petkovic.</p>
10/10:Vintage Messi
<p>Messi saved his best for last though, tormenting Josko Gvardial down the right before leaving the 20-year-old defender behind and pulling the ball back to Alvarez who coolly slotted home.</p>They exploded with a loud roar when Alvarez, who had their best chance in the 25th minute with a low shot, was brought down in the box for a penalty.
Messi, who drew level with Germany's Lothar Matthaeus as joint record holder for most World Cup appearances with his 25th game, fired past Livakovic to give Argentina the lead after Croatia's assistant coach Mario Mandzukic was sent off for dissent.
But the best was yet to come and it was Alvarez, nicknamed 'the spider', who delivered, picking up a Messi pass in his own half, sprinting 50 metres and weaving his way into the Croatia box, thanks to two lucky bounces and some sloppy defending, before tucking in the second goal.
Livakovic, who had carried Croatia into the last four with saves in their penalty shootout wins against Japan and Brazil, did well to stop an Alexis Mac Allister header on the stroke of halftime that could have killed off the game after 45 minutes.
However, unlike their extra-time comeback heroics against tournament favourites Brazil, there was no way back this time for Croatia.
Argentina were in no mood to squander their two-goal advantage as they had done against the Netherlands in the last eight, and they conceded no space.
Alvarez dashed any lingering Croatia hopes in the 69th, tapping in a cutback after Messi tricked his way past defender Josko Gvardiol on the right to pick out his team mate in the box who sealed the Balkan country's tournament exit.
(With inputs from agencies)
