The Argentinian footballers defeated defending champions Croatia 3-0 and advanced to the World Cup final after eight years. In the first half, Lionel Messi scored from the penalty spot and Julián Álvarez, who then also settled the final score after switching sides. In the semifinals, Messi equaled Lothar Matthäus’ record for the number of World Cup starts, playing in his 25th match.
The South Americans have won their fifth semifinal at the World Cup and will be fighting for gold for the sixth time. They managed to win it in 1978 and 1986. In Sunday’s final in Qatar they will face the reigning champions France or Morocco. Their match against each other is scheduled for Wednesday from 20:00 CET.
In Saturday’s duel for third place, Croatia will aim for their third World Cup medal. In addition to their four-year silver, they won bronze in 1998.
“There are so many things going through my mind. I don’t even know how to describe my feelings. We are in the final, that’s what we wanted. It was incredibly fun to get here” Messi said citing the agencies.
The match was played with a new ball, specially created for the semi-finals and finals only. The teams played cautiously, the first shot on goal only came in the 25th minute. However, Croatian goalkeeper Livakovič blocked Fernández’s long-range shot.
Nine minutes later, the reigning South American champions took the lead. A running Livakovič knocks down Álvarez and referee Orsato concedes a penalty. Traditional performer Messi made no mistakes with a shot under the bar and converted the third of four penalties in the tournament (excluding quarter-final penalties).
With his fifth goal, he surpassed France’s Paris St. Germain teammate Mbappé. At the same time, he celebrated his 25th World Cup start in style, equaling the previous record set by Germany’s Matthäus.
In the 39th minute the Argentines increase the score. Álvarez gained possession on the halfway line and with the help of two rebounds from his defending opponents got to the goal, where he beat Livakovič.
As the half ended, the Croatian goalkeeper made a well-timed save to save his side from conceding a third goal after Mac Allister’s header.
After almost an hour of play, Messi could not do it, but in the 69th minute, mainly thanks to him, Argentina cheered again. From the sidelines to the penalty area, defender Gvardiol was unable to take the ball away from him and the excellent Messi presented it to Álvarez, who struck into an open goal from an ideal position.
Although the Croatians kept the ball more, they did not significantly threaten goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez. Conversely, they came close again in the 83rd minute, but Mac Allister headed wide.
The Argentines avenged the equally heavy defeat of the Croatians in the previous championship, they beat today’s opponent even at the 1998 World Cup (1:0). Since the first surprise defeat against Saudi Arabia, the South Americans have won their fifth consecutive game in Qatar.
FIFA World Cup Qatar – Semi Finals (Lusail):
Argentina – Croatia 3:0 (2:0)
Targets: 39. and 69. Álvarez – 34. Messi from penalty. Referee: Orsato – Carbone, Giallatini – Irrati (video, all it.). ŽK: Romero, Otamendi – Livakovič, Kovačič. Spectators: 88,966.
Argentina: E. Martinez – Molina (86. Foyth), Rosemary, Otamendi, Tagliafico – De Paul (74. Palazzi), Paredes (62. Lysandro Martinez), Fernandez, Mac Allister (86. Correa) – Messi, Alvarez (74 ).. Dybala). Coach: Scaloni.
Croatia: Livakovič – Juranovič, Lovren, Gvardiol, Sosa (46. Oršič) – Brozovič (50. Petkovič) – Kovačič, Modrič (81. Majer) – Pasalič (46. Vlašič), Kramarič (72. Livaja), Perišič. Coach: Dalic.
