Argentina beat Croatia 3-0 to book a place in the final of the ongoing FIFA world cup in Qatar, in the first semi-final match played on Tuesday night at the Lusail Stadium.
The likes of Lionel Messi and Julian Alvarez scored to help Argentina beat Croatia, as the country of late Diego Maradona make their 6th FIFA world cup final in their history.
The win by Argenitna on Tuesday night, gives Lionel Messi one last chance to win the piece of silverware that has eluded him in his trophy-laden career but Manchester City’s 22-year-old striker Alvarez claimed at least an equal share of top billing as Argentina ensured they will return here on Sunday to face either France or Morocco.
Argentina’s little genius broke the deadlock from the penalty spot after 34 minutes following Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic’s foul on the marauding 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 finish.
Messi will now have the opportunity to make amends for the bitter disappointment of losing the 2014 World Cup final to Germany in Rio’s iconic Maracana.