Croatia, who surprisingly beat Brazil in the quarter-finals, were also unscathed against Argentina for just over half an hour. Apart from a long-range shot from Enzo Fernandez, the South Americans did not threaten to score. But then comes the 32nd minute and the long pass for Julian Alvarez. The 22-year-old Manchester City forward went past goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic, who had stormed out, and the two collided. The Italian referee Daniele Orsato, who also officiated the first match, decided on a penalty.
Once again Lionel Messi competed. The captain didn’t give Livakovic, who until then had led Croatia with his saved penalties, no chance and kicked under the crossbar. It was Messi’s fifth goal of the tournament, his third from the penalty spot. That doesn’t include his goal on penalties against the Netherlands. Only in the match against Poland was he rejected by goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny.
Alvarez, who won the penalty, also scored five minutes later. After a failed corner kick by the Croatians, the young star took the ball in front of the center line and was then uncatchable. Alvarez capped off his solo run with the 2-0 goal. The teams went to the break with that result, although Argentina could have been even higher after a great chance from Alexis Mac Allister.
Alvarez decides the match
The South Americans confidently defended their lead in the second half. The comeback qualities the Croatians had shown against Japan and Brazil were no longer evident in this match. Instead, Messi started the freestyle in the 69th minute, easily outflanking his opponent and passing to Alvarez, who scored his second goal of the night, his fourth of the tournament.
The 3-0 victory was also revenge for their defeat in Russia four years ago, when Croatia beat the South Americans in the group stage of the World Cup by the same result. Argentina then met France in the round of 16 and lost 3:4. So it is possible that the next chance for revenge will come on Sunday. France will face Morocco in the semi-final on Wednesday.
In any case, on 18 December Argentina will have the chance to win their third world title after 1978 and 1986. Finals were lost in 1930 (against Uruguay), 1990 (against Italy) and in 2014 (against Germany).
Messi’s records
Winning the title would be the culmination of a great career, especially for Lionel Messi. He had announced before the tournament that this would be his last World Cup. In the match against Croatia he again set or surpassed some records.
Thanks to his penalty, Messi is now Argentina’s only top scorer at the World Cup. He has eleven goals, surpassing Gabriel Batistuta. On the list of all-time top goalscorers, the 35-year-old will probably not finish top in his fifth World Cup. Here, German Miroslav Klose leads the table with 16 goals.
In the final, Messi should overcome Lothar Matthäus. The match against Croatia was Messi’s 25th World Cup appearance, as many as the former German international has to his credit. On Sunday, Messi is expected to secure his record as the only World Cup record player.
Argentina 3-0 Croatia (2-0)
Lusail Stadium, Lusail. – 88’966 Zuschauer. – SR Orsato (ITA). – Tore: 34. Messi (Foulpenalty) 1:0. 39. Alvarez 2:0. 69. Alvarez 3:0.
Argentina: Emiliano Martinez; Molina (86. Foyth), Romero, Otamendi, Tagliafico; Fernández; Paredes (62. Lisandro Martinez), De Paul (74. Palacios); Mac Allister (86. Strap); Messi, Alvarez (74. Dybala).
Croatia: Livakovic; Juranovic, Lovren, Gvardiol, Sosa (46th Orsic); Modric (81. Major), Brozovic (50. Petkovic), Kovacic; Pasalic (46. Vlasic), Kramaric (72. Livaja), Perisic.
Remarks: Argentina without Montiel, Acuña (both suspended) and Gomez (injured). Complete Croatia. 35. Red card for Mandzukic (Croatia assistant coach). Yellow cards: 32 Livakovic, 33 Kovacic, 68 Romero, 71 Otamendi.
