Lionel Messi put up a scintillating performance against Croatia to lead Argentina into the final match of Qatar 2022 against either France or Morocco on Sunday
Ola Adewale
With three goals in the run of play during the first Semi-Final match against Croatia in the Lusail Stadium, Argentina has booked its place in the Final match of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. The Albicelestes scored through Lionel Messi in the 34’ through a penalty kick; and Julian Alvarez in the 39’ and 69’.
Even though the Croatian dominated ball possession during the match: 62/38, it was Captain Messi who weaved his magic throughout the night on the field, displaying a great hunger for getting his first World Cup trophy by putting up a great show to make Argentina reach its sixth World Cup final and keep his dream alive.
The North American’s three goals all had Messi’s input at one point or the other.
The first goal was a result of a Fernandez straight pass down the middle of the Croatian defence in the box but as Alvarez got the ball and tried to chip around Livakovic and went round him, he was bodychecked and Lovren cleared the ball off the line, but the referee points to the spot. A penalty. Messi stepped up and blasted the ball into the top right roof of the net.
The second goal in the 39th minute was an Alvarez masterpiece. Messi seemed to have been fouled in the centre circle, but the referee waved play on as the ball gets to Alvarez. He quickly ran with the ball, dribbling down the middle as the Croatian defenders closed on him. But De Paul and Molina helped to confuse the defenders and Alvarez kept on with his run into the Croatian box as he get his shots blocked twice before riffling it into the net,
For the third, Messi began the move going down the right wing, out on the touchline with Gvardiol right by his side. From the touchline, Messi moved infield to the edge of the box, stopping briefly as Gvardol sprinted to the byline, but Messi flicked a pass to Alvarez, who floated it into the net.
