Messi mesmerized the audience once again as he led Argentina to a 3-0 victory against Croatia in the first semi-final of the FIFA World Cup 2022 on Wednesday. This victory advanced Argentina to their sixth World Cup final. At Lusail stadium, Messi scored one goal and provided an incredible assist, and Julian Alvarez scored two goals for the defending champions, who are now a two-time club.
After taking a 2-0 lead at the halftime break, Argentina did not give the runner-up in the 2018 competition, Croatia, any opportunity to mount a comeback. Messi scored the game's first goal, a penalty kick in the 34th minute, to break the tie. It was his fifth goal of the competition. After another five minutes had passed, Alvarez scored an outstanding solo goal in the 39th minute to extend the team's lead to 2-0. Alvarez's goal in the 69th minute made it 3-0 for Argentina, thus ending the game for Croatia. Messi had created the opportunity for Alvarez's goal by playing like the old version of himself. It was Alvarez who almost stole the show, earning the penalty and scoring once in each half, including after a scintillating 50-meter run. While everyone's attention was focused on Messi, the captain of the team, and his fifth attempt to win the one major trophy that has eluded him, it was Alvarez who almost earned the penalty and scored.
After Alvarez was brought down by goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic in the 34th minute, Messi converted the resulting penalty kick to become his country's all-time World Cup top scorer with 11 goals. Five minutes later, the 22-year-old Manchester City forward took matters into his own hands to add a second goal. Messi is now the all-time World Cup top scorer for his country.
After a mesmerizing drive by Messi to the byline and a brilliant cut-back from him, Alvarez was able to tap in his second goal in the 69th minute to ensure Argentina's spot in the World Cup final for the sixth time.It was Alvarez who almost stole the show, earning the penalty and scoring once in each half, including after a scintillating 50-meter run. While everyone's attention was focused on Messi, the captain of the team, and his fifth attempt to win the one major trophy that has eluded him, it was Alvarez who almost earned the penalty and scored.
After Alvarez was brought down by goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic in the 34th minute, Messi converted the resulting penalty kick to become his country's all-time World Cup top scorer with 11 goals. Five minutes later, the 22-year-old Manchester City forward took matters into his own hands to add a second goal. Messi is now the all-time World Cup top scorer for his country.After a mesmerizing drive by Messi to the byline and a brilliant cut-back from him, Alvarez was able to tap in his second goal in the 69th minute to ensure Argentina's spot in the World Cup final for the sixth time.
