Lionel Messi provided two assist and scored from the spot to lead Argentina into the final of the World Cup after beating Croatia 3-0 at the Lusail Stadium.
it’s Argentina’s sixth final and hopefully for Messi this is the last chance to have his hands on the World Cup trophy that has eluded him.
Messi opened the scoring from the spot after 34 minutes following Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic’s foul on the marauding Julian Alvarez.
Alvarez doubled Argentina’s lead five minutes later when he took Messi’s header just inside Croatian territory and embarked on a slaloming run, aided by fortunate bounces off Josip Juranovic and Borna Sosa, before beating Livakovic.
There was no fortune involved in a brilliant third after the break as Messi mesmerised Croatia’s excellent defender Josko Gvardiol on the byeline before playing in Alvarez for the final goal.
what a far cry it was from when Argentina lost their first game in what was the biggest shock of this World Cup in Qatar when they lost their opening game 2-1 to Saudi Arabia, despite Messi putting one of the pre-tournament favourites in front.
Messi is now a joint top scorer with Frenchman Kylian Mbappe on five goals apiece. France will battle Morocco in the second semi final to determine who plays Argentina in the final.
