NEW DELHI: After taking his team to the World Cup final with a mesmerising performance in Qatar, captain Lionel Messi praised Argentina's intelligence on Wednesday.
The two-time champions swept past Croatia 3-0 in their semi-final match at Lusail Stadium, riding on Julian Alvarez two goals and Messi's one from the penalty spot. It was a contrasting win for Argentina, after showing more guts than flair to beat the Netherlands on penalties in the quarter-finals.
"We're an intelligent squad, we know how to read the game, we know how to suffer when necessary, when to press. Every detail counts in every match," Messi said in a news conference after the semi-final win.
"We knew that sometimes they were not really tidy and would leave space behind. I am enjoying this a lot. I am feeling really good, strong enough to face every match," Messi, who drew level with France's Kylian Mbappe as the tournament's top scorer with five goals, said.
Messi made the most of available spaces to set up Alvarez for the third goal after a superb run to the byline that capped a remarkable performance.
"In the previous match (against the Netherlands), extra time wasn't easy. Today we were tired, but we pulled ourselves up to earn this victory. We played very well, we prepared to play this way because we knew we wouldn't have the ball and would need to run in this match. So we prepared for this match in a very good way. As we always do," added Messi.
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>Argentina are looking for their third World Cup title, and first since 1986, with a rejuvenated Messi spearheading their pursuit.
"Personally I'm very happy, I'm enjoying it a lot and I'm happy that I'm able to help my squad make things happen. The first match was a hard blow. For us to start this way was hard, we didn't think we would lose against Saudi Arabia, it was a test but we proved how strong we are," said Messi, whose side started their campaign with a shock 2-1 defeat to Saudi Arabia.
"It was very difficult because every match was a final for us. We were aware that if we didn't win it would be more complicated," Messi said.
Argentina will face either France or Morocco in the final on Sunday.
(With inputs from agencies)
