Argentina and Lionel Messi are into the World Cup final after a 3-0 win over Croatia. The great number ten may take the headlines once more after scoring from the penalty spot, but Julian Alvarez, who won the penalty and scored a brace, has transformed his country’s fortunes at this tournament.
The Manchester City forward replaced the misfiring Lautaro Martinez in the second group game against Mexico and has started ever since. Argentina haven’t looked back. He’s led the line alongside Messi, but done all the running for the 35-year-old. He may only be 5ft 7in, but his energy and strength has allowed Argentina to build from the front, and he clearly gets the best out of the magnificent Messi.
It was his movement that broke the deadlock at the Lusail Stadium, where Argentina will return on Sunday afternoon. He made a darting run to break the offside trap and Dominik Livakovic made contact with him after he got his shot off, forcing the referee to point to the spot. The keeper had already saved four penalties so far in shootouts so far this World Cup but Messi stepped up and put his spot-kick right into the top corner.
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Soon after, Alvarez would get his name on the scoresheet. From a Croatia corner, Messi set him away and he somehow ran half the length of the pitch with the ball, as the ball blobbled past two Croatian challenges, before volleying the ball in from close range. It was a goal of immense determination, but what shouldn’t be overlooked is the lung-busting run of Nahuel Molina, who ran the length of the pitch to take players away from his countryman.
Those two moments took the game away from Croatia, who had the better of the opening half hour as Mateo Kovacic’s incredible dribbling ability and energy lit up the Lusail Stadium. But Argentina, with this massive following, looked a different team once they’d gone two goals up.
Alexis Mac Allister should have scored as he got his head to a Messi corner, but was brilliantly denied by Livakovic. Then Messi played a quick one-two and wriggled away from Gvardiol before being denied by the Croatian keeper, who has been one of the standout players at this tournament.
Croatia went for it in the second half as Zlatko Dalic rang the changes, but they would be undone by another piece of Messi magic. Joško Gvardiol has been exceptional this tournament and is the next big thing when it comes to centre-backs, but Messi slowed him down, spun him into a knot, and then teed the ball up for Alvarez to slot home his second.
It was a moment of magnificence from the great man. With that he became the first man to score and assist in four separate World Cup matches and his place in the final was secured. That means his total of goals and assists in World Cups is now 19, which takes him level with Miroslav Klose, Gerd Muller and Ronaldo. Not bad is he?
His route to the final looked almost impossible after that defeat to Saudi Arabia, but along with Alvarez, they’ve found the formula to drag this side all the way to the final. Messi will hope for his crowning glory on Sunday afternoon, but we also said goodbye to another great tonight.
Luka Modric showed some fantastic touches, but it wasn’t to be his night. He departs the world stage at 37, having played in a World Cup final and a semi-final. One of the great midfielders leaves stage left, but the greatest of all time is now one step away from the biggest trophy in the sport.
