Lionel Messi and Argentina are going to the final of the 2022 FIFA World Cup as they comprehensively beat Croatia 3-0 in the semifinal at the Lusail Stadium.
Mateo Kovacic started brightly for Croatia but the 2018 FIFA World Cup finalists didn’t have enough bite to penetrate further.
Argentina were calm on the ball and were ready to bide their time. In the 31st minute, Julian Alvarez won a penalty as he was through on goal and chipped over the keeper but Dominik Livakovic took him down and was yellow carded.
Lionel Messi scored from the spot kick to register his fifth goal of the tournament, on par with Kylian Mbappe.
Eight minutes later, Alvarez scored a brilliant goal from a solo run to double the advantage as the Croatian backline seemed non-existent.
The Argentines looked the more domineering side throughout the game and Alvarez scored again in the 69th minute thanks to a bit of Messi magic on the right flank.
The PSG forward humbled Josko Gvardiol and raced down the right wing before cutting back into the path of Alvarez who made no mistake from close range.
Croatia were nowhere near close to Argentina’s level and the score line reflected the same.
