Messi magic topples Croatia and brings Argentina back to the World Cup final
The Argentine national team qualified for the final of the Qatar 2022 World Cup, with a convincing victory over Croatia with a clean treble, this evening, Tuesday, in the match that was held at Lusail Stadium.
Argentina's hat-trick was scored by Lionel Messi in the 34th minute and Julian Alvarez in the 39-69 minutes.
Argentina awaits the winner of the other semi-final between France and Morocco in the final on Wednesday.
The first attempt came in the 17th minute, when Louverin crossed and headed wide of the target.
Argentina appeared offensively in the 25th minute, with a shot from outside the area through Fernandes, saved by Livakovic.
Croatia tried again in the 31st minute, with a shot from Perisic, which went over the crossbar.
Immediately afterwards, Alvarez received a cross to single out Plivaciovic, and the goalkeeper made a mistake and the referee awarded a penalty.
Messi took the penalty in the 34th minute, with a powerful shot to the left of the goalkeeper, which inhabited the net to announce Argentina's lead.
Argentina added the second goal in the 39th minute, from a quick counter-attack, after which Alvarez was launched by the center of the field, until he reached the penalty area, shooting a ball that inhabited the net.
Argentina almost added the third goal in the 43rd minute, with a follow-up from McAllister to a cross from Messi from a corner kick, shooting a header that Livakovic starred in the save, to end the first half with Argentina advancing with two goals without reply.
Argentina started the second half strongly, with a shot from Paredes from outside the box in the 49th minute, which was caught by Livakovic.
Fernandes passed a magic through to Messi inside the area in the 58th minute, to hit the latter ball brilliance Livakovic in the save.
Argentina fired a mercy shot at Croatia by adding the third goal in the 69th minute, after Messi manipulated Guevardiol on the right side of the penalty area, before passing a magic ball to Alvarez, who in turn shot a direct ground ball into the net.
Croatia tried to reduce the deficit in the 73rd minute, through a foul by Perisic, shooting a ground ball caught by Martinez.
Perisic tried again in the 75th minute, with a shot from outside the box, which went wide of the goal.
Substitute Orcic looked to surprise Martinez in the 78th minute, with a curling shot from the left side of the box, but his ball went wide as well.
Argentina missed a chance to add the fourth goal in the 83rd minute, after Dybala passed a magic ball to McAllister inside the area, who in turn hit a direct ball on the bird that passed just next to the post.
Croatia almost reduced the deficit in the 85th minute, after Perisic followed up a cross from a corner kick, passing a headed ball that passed in front of the foot of Lovren, who is in the 6-yard area in front of the empty net.
In the 89th minute, Majier shot from outside the area, which Martinez caught easily, to end the match with Argentina winning a clean trebleTo end the match topples Croatia and brings Argentina back to the World Cup fina.
