Argentina goes to its sixth final of a world Cupfor the second time with Lionel Messi in the field. While the national team dreams of winning a third championship, the 35-year-old star is looking for the title that is missing from his rich gallery of trophies in his last participation in the tournament. Today (13), Albiceleste beat Croatia 3-0, at Lusail Stadium, and marked their place in the big decision of the Qatar World Cup🇧🇷 Now there is only one game left to complete this story.
Lionel Messi, from the penalty spot, and Julián Alvarez, twice, scored the goals in qualifying. The number 10 was the star of the match with a goal and an assist à la Messi. With that, Argentina returned to the final eight years after being defeated by Germany, 1-0, in the decider of the 2014 edition, held in Brazil. The opposing team will be France or Morocco, who will take the field tomorrow (2 pm), at 4 pm (Brasilia time), to decide who will qualify for the other semifinal.
After Eliminate Brazil in the quarterfinals, Croatia had a mission to outrun another South American giant in pursuit of its unprecedented title. The Croatians just created dangers and even managed to hold the Argentines for half an hour, but they started giving up space and conceded two goals in five minutes before the end of the first half. The current runner-up failed to turn the score around in the finals, however conceded third in a play with the genius of Messi and ended up defeated in his sixth World Cup appearance.
Argentina, who are contesting their 18th Cup, are still alive in their mission to become champions again after 36 years — the titles were won in 1978 and 1986. Next Sunday (18th), at 12:00, it will be decided whether the Argentina’s tournament drought will end and whether Messi retires with or without a World Cup title. Croatia, in turn, will play third place on Saturday (17).
mood of the crowd
As has happened throughout the World Cup, the Argentines have transformed Doha as if it were a football match liberators in Buenos Aires. From the subway, passing through the surroundings to inside the Lusail Stadium, the accent was only one: the porteño. It was not possible to hear the Croatians for a minute during the 90-minute confrontation.
Start at minimum
Enzo Fernández is scored by Luka Modric in the match between Argentina and Croatia
Image: Dylan Martinez/Reiters
The duel started truncated, with both selections alternating in control of ball possession, but without applying too much intensity. The idea of not conceding spaces to the opponent was greater than that of seeking an advantage. Argentina also tried to apply some early pressure, but ended up resorting to long balls in front of the Croatian barrier when they had the ball.
Led by Modric, the Croatians lined up tightly on the pitch and were soon exchanging passes to find a way through the Argentine defence. While the teams have held back actions, creativity has been lacking. The ball was barely dangerous for either side and there wasn’t even a finish in 15 minutes of play.
Messi feels uncomfortable
Messi places his hand on his left thigh during the duel between Argentina and Croatia, for the World Cup in Qatar
Image: Lee Smith/Reiters
Having disposed of the ball near the touchline in midfield, Messi put his hand on the back of his left thigh in the 18th minute. ‘Did it make sense?’. The small gesture was enough to arouse widespread concern about the 35-year-old’s physical condition.
Starting as a starter, the Argentinian has reached 25 matches played in the World Cup, equaling the German Lothar Matthaus as most capped player at the World Cup.
The penalty kick kicks off the scoring
Messi scored Argentina’s first goal against Croatia from the penalty spot
Image: Molly Darlington/Reuters
Halfway through the opening phase, the teams began to take more risks, losing ground on the pitch. With that, space has opened up for counterattacks and moves that explore speed. So Argentina got a penalty scored in the 31st minute.
Enzo Fernández launched a shot from the back of Lovren e Julian Alvarez was free in front of the door. The Argentinian number 9 hits Livakovic over, but he catches it without force and the ball ends up being cleared before crossing the line by the Croatian defender, who manages to recover. However, the goalkeeper collided with the young striker on the move. It took the Italian referee a few seconds, but he signaled the penalty and gave the archer a yellow card – as well as penalizing Kovacic for complaining and sending off a Croatian assistant coach on the bench.
It couldn’t have been another batsman: the captain and jersey 10 charged. Whether or not you’ve felt thigh discomfort. the Argentine goalkeeper Back Martinez he stood with his back to the door awaiting the verdict. Messi shoots high into the left corner, with no chances for Livakovic, who also hits the crossbar. 1-0 in the semifinals and another record broken for him, who reaches 11 goals in the Cup and becomes the Argentine top scorer in the world tournament.
Argentina expands in 5 minutes
Messi, Álvarez and Molina celebrate Argentina’s goal against Croatia at the World Cup in Qatar
Image: Carl Recine/Reuters
Shortly after opening the scoring, Argentina adjusted their second goal, also in a play with Alvarez starring. In the 39th minute the 22-year-old striker added a touch of luck and a star. He received it in the center and drove the ball in a fatal counter-attack towards the opponent’s box. Even two defenders arrived to give the attack, but the ball ended up being left at number 9 in both disputes. In the small box he just has to push for the goal in front of Livakovic.
2-0 in five magical minutes for the Argentines. The South Americans even came close to doubling the lead in the 42nd minute with Mac Allister heading in from a corner kick. The Croatian goalkeeper, who stood out against Brazil, had to reach out in defense and, reflexively, pushed the ball close to the crossbar.
Croatia without forces
Croatian Modric complains against Argentina at the World Cup
Image: REUTERS/Hannah Mckay
From behind, Croatia had to risk more in the match, but could not endanger Dibu’s goal. Meanwhile, Argentina held the game and tried to define the result on the counterattack. The Argentines were even closer to scoring a third goal than the Croats were to score their first.
Messi, brilliant
Messi celebrates a goal scored in the match between Argentina and Croatia
Image: Kai Pfaffenbach/Reuters
Alvarez would be considered the star of the match if it weren’t for Lionel Messi. The Argentine captain used all his genius on the pitch to create the play for the third goal. He sprinted from the sidelines and made defender Gvardiol, one of the tournament’s revelations, look like a child. The number 10 practically sambad in front of the Croatian defender to reach the backline and crossed back for Alvarez to shore up the net, scoring his second of the match and third for the Argentine.
With their captain inspired, Albiceleste ended up on the pitch against a listless Croatia, who were unable to repeat their strategy against the Brazilians and could not resist Lionel Messi’s Argentina.
Data sheet
Argentina 3 x 0 Croatia
Competition: Semifinal of the 2022 World Cup
Local: The Lusail Stadium in Doha, Qatar
Date and time: December 13, 2022, 4:00 pm (Brasilia time)
Referee: Daniele Orsato (ITA)
Assistants: Ciro Carbone and Alessandro Giallatini
WAS: Massimiliano Irrati (ITA)
Public: 88.966 thousand fans
Targets: Messi (ARG), on 34′, and Julián Alvarez (ARG), on 39′ of the first half and 24′ of the second half
Yellow cards: Livakovic (CRO), Kovacic (CRO), Romero (ARG) and Otamendi (ARG)
Argentina: Dibu Martinez; Molina (Foith), Romero, Otamendi and Tagliafico; Paredes (Lisandro Martínez), Fernández, De Paul (Palacios) and Mac Allister (Correa); Messi and Alvarez (Dybala). Coach: Lionel Scaloni.
Croatia: Livakovic; Juranovic, Gvardiol, Lovren and Sosa (Orsic); Brozovic (Petkovic), Kovacic and Modric (Majer); Pasalic (Vlasic), Kramaric (Livaja) and Perisic. Coach: Zlatko Dalic.
Who will be the World Cup champion?
32.18%
6.72%
30.16%
30.95%
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