Lionel Messi inspired another Argentina win as they reached the World Cup final
(Picture: Getty Images)As each game passes in Qatar, it is becoming impossible to shake the feeling that Argentina and Lionel Messi will finally end their long wait to win the World Cup.
After beating 3-0 Croatia they are now one more victory away from achieving that feat and they will face either France or Morocco in Sunday’s final.
A win then would end Argentina’s 36-year wait to lift this famous trophy, while for Messi it would be the crowning moment of an already glittering playing career.
This was another statement performance from the 35-year-old, who appears to be going through the gears in Qatar as each round progresses. He finished this game with a goal and an assist - and his third man of the match award in a row.
This semi-final was also Messi’s 25th World Cup appearance, equalling the record held by Germany great Lothar Matthaus, while his goal was his 11th in the competition’s history. No Argentina player has scored more.
That goal in the 34th minute, which came via the penalty spot, put Argentina 1-0 up in this semi-final, but before that it was Croatia who were in control.
As expected their midfield trio, who defender Josip Juranovic described as “safer than having your money in the bank”, dominated proceedings and after 20 minutes they had over 60 per cent possession.
Croatia’s attack lacked a cutting edge, though, and within the space of five first-half minutes the bank had been broken into and Argentina stole control of this semi-final.
Julian Alvarez played a pivotal part in both goals. For the first one, Alvarez got in between Croatia’s two centre-backs thanks to Enzo Fernandez’s through-ball and he was brought down by goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic.
Messi, who now is the joint-top scorer at this World Cup, made no mistake as smashed home his third penalty and fifth goal of the tournament.
Five minutes later, it was 2-0 to Argentina and there was more than a hint of fortune about this goal. Alvarez broke from his own half and, when he reached the Croatia penalty area, he inadvertently played two one-twos with Croatia full-backs Borna Sosa and Juranovic.
The ball eventually landed at Alvarez’s feet and, like Messi had for his penalty, he emphatically fired it past Livakovic.
It is goals like that which make you feel like Argentina’s name is on this trophy. Going into this tournament, one of the main narratives was around Messi achieving his dream of winning a World Cup and nights such as this suggest it may finally become a reality.
Croatia, who were so livid around the awarding of Argentina’s penalty that assistant Mario Mandzukic was sent off for complaining, tried to changes things at half-time. Head coach Zlatko Dalic hooked left-back Sosa and threw on winger Mislav Orsic. Nikola Vlasic replaced Mario Pasalic, too.
Five minutes later and striker Bruno Petkovic, who had been the hero against Brazil in the quarter-finals, was thrown on as Dalic took off midfielder Marcelo Brozovic in an ultimate throw of the dice.
Unsurprisingly, that meant Croatia surrendered the usual control they have in midfield and the game became end-to-end, with Messi drawing a fine save out of Livakovic following another delightful, jinking run.
Croatia should have heeded that warning and, if there was a hint of fortune about Argentina’s second goal, there was no luck involved in their third. This one was just pure Messi magic.
Picking the ball up on the right flank he drove forward before twisting Croatia centre-back Jasko Gvardiol - one of the most wanted defenders ahead of the January window - inside out. Once at the byline, Messi cut the ball back to perfectly pick out Alvarez to score.
It was sublime skill from Messi and it once and for all knocked the stuffing out of a Croatia team who have arguably fought and battled better than anyone at this tournament.
As for Argentina and Messi, their World Cup dream is alive and well. They will take some stopping on Sunday. Fate and destiny appear on their side.
