Argentina are in the #FIFAWorldCup Final! 🔥@adidasfootball | #Qatar2022
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) December 13, 2022
Argentina (3-0) recorded the largest victory of any team in a World Cup semi-final without conceding a goal. Brilliant.
Argentina won by 3-0 against Croatia in first semi-final match of the FIFA World Cup 2022,  Julian Alvarez scored two goals while Lionel Messi scored one goal. Croatia undone by Messi magic.
Croatia have conceded as many goals against Argentina (3), as they had in the whole tournament up to this point. Undone.
Lionel Messi has a shot at his crowning moment and Luka Modric says farewell.
#FIFAWorldCup Legend ❤️ pic.twitter.com/ykrHdPOcvI
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) December 13, 2022
Argentina players celebrate as they now head to the World Cup final on December 18!
Croatia players look on disappointed as their unfancied run finally comes to a close at the hands of the South American team.
Four years ago, Croatia stunned the world by beating Argentina 3-0 during the group stages.
Tonight, however, belongs to Argentina as Messi takes one step closer to the promise land.
🪧 This way to the #FIFAWorldCup Final!
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) December 13, 2022
Vintage Messi Run Sets Up Alvarez For Argentina’s Third
Magical 🪄#FIFAWorldCup | #Qatar2022 pic.twitter.com/Wz3cocaGYH
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) December 13, 2022
Though Argentina score 3 goals but Croatia have 53% ball possession to compare to Argentina 35% possession of ball.
Goals from Messi and Alvarez give Argentina a half-time lead! đź‘Š#FIFAWorldCup | #ARG #HRV
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) December 13, 2022
Argentina have taken 2-0 lead over Croatia in the first-half of the first semi-final match of the FIFA World Cup 2022. Lionel Messi and Julian Alvarez scored for Argentina.
Lionel Messi equaled Lothar Matthau’s’ record for the most World Cup appearances with his 25th start in Tuesday’s semi-final against Croatia
After 45+2′ mins of play the referee blows the whistle to draw a rather entertaining first half to a close.
Croatia were fully in control in the opening 25 minutes or so, but once Argentina were warded their penalty they did not look back as the momentum shifted quickly.
Messi converted, and then Alvarez struck with a sublime solo effort to give the South American side a comfortable, but not definitive, 2-0 lead going into the interval.
If there is any team that can turn this around, it is Croatia, so Argentina will be
remiss to take their counterparts lightly in the second half.
🇦🇷 Argentina's new all-time leading goalscorer at the #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/kZkMG2BxW3
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) December 13, 2022
11 – Lionel Messi has now scored 11 goals at the World Cup, the most of any Argentina player in the competition’s history. Record.
Final line up :
Argentina XI : Martinez, Molina (Foyth, 86′), Romero, Otamendi, Tagliafico, De Paul (Palacios, 74′) Paredes (Lisandro Martinez, 62′), Fernandez, Mac Allister (Correa, 86′), Messi, Alvarez (Dybala, 74′).
Croatia XI : Livakovic, Juranovic, Lovren, Gvardiol, Sosa (Orsic, 46′), Modric (Majer, 81′), Brozovic (Petkovic, 50′), Kovacic, Pasalic (Vlasic, 46′), Kramaric (Livaja, 72′), Perisic.
Final Score Argentina vs Croatia :
Teams | 1st Half | 2nd Half | Final Score |
Argentina | 2 | 1 | 3 |
Croatia | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Argentina wins 3-0 against Croatia
Goals :
34mins : GOAL! Argentina ! Who else but Messi to put Argentina ahead in this World Cup semifinal
39mins : GOAL! Argentina ! Alvarez’s stunning solo effort makes it 2-0 for Argentina.
69mins : GOAL! Argentina ! Messi, at the end of an incredible solo effort, manages to find Alvarez to make it 3-0 for Argentina!
GOAL!!! Lionel Messi perfectly capitalizes on the given opportunity and converts the penalty into a goal. He brilliantly places the ball towards the target and leaves Dominik Livakovic completely bamboozled.Â
With a strong strike into the top right corner, he goes level as top-scorer with Mbappe with five goals in the tournament.
34 mins: Argentina 1-0 Croatia
Alvarez evokes memories of Maradona
The young striker scores a goal of some quality as a failed Croatia right corner leads to an Argentinian break.
The break soon finds Alvarez, who picks up the ball just past the half-way line and sets off on a run with a couple of Croatian defenders on him.
As he gets closer to the box, he is almost dispossessed not once, but twice, before he pokes the ball past Livakovic to send the Argentina fans into delirium.
39 mins: Argentina 2-0 Croatia
Messi magic sets up Alvarez finish
Messi puts on a masterclass here as he rushes down near the right touchline, with Gvardiol hot on his heels.
He manages to keep the Croatian at bay despite numerous prods and pokes.
Messi makes it all the way to the penalty box, and as he nears the near post on the right side, he sees Alvarez slightly open.
The No 10 slips in a quick pass and Alvarez is able to slot it past the right of the keeper to put Argentina one step into the World Cup final.
69 mins: Argentina 3-0 Croatia