DOHA, December 13, 2022 - In yet another magical night of Messi and with a fantastic performance of Julian Alvarez, who scored two goals, Argentina are the first finalists of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 after beating Croatia 3-0 at a packed Lusail Iconic Stadium.
In the 31st minute, Messi scored the first goal from the penalty spot after Livakovic tripped Julian Alvarez in a counter-attack that showed the lack of coordination of Croatia’s defence.
NEW SYSTEM In an attempt to neutralise Croatia’s engine, Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni opted to change formation introducing a 4-4-2 featuring De Paul, Enzo Fernandez, Paredes and Mac Allister for the first time in this World Cup, forcing Luka Modrić to retreat and pick up the ball almost from his defenders...
While Croatia had been dominant with one-touch football and most of possession in the beginning (62%), Argentina proved to be highly effective with more interceptions and quick counters. It was that formula that allowed Julian Alvarez to score the 2-0 in the 39th minute after a fantastic solo run from the centre circle to the dismay of the two Croatian defenders that were expecting a pass to Molina.
DOMINANCE In the second half, Croatia manager Zlatko Dalic tried two substitutions: Vlasic and Orsic (Pasalic and Sosa came off), and then Petkovic replaced Brozovic. Scaloni responded by adding Lisandro Martinez for Paredes restoring the 5-3-2, but dominance was never at risk. The highly resolute Argentina made no mistakes and never lost concentration.
Messi had his own chance in the 57th, saved by Livakovic from close range. Dibu Martinez responded with a good save when the ball cut loose after a free-kick. Croatia's desperation was met with Argentina’s cold blood in every counter. When Messi captured the ball on the right, he accelerated, turned around and ridiculed Gvardiol in the box before assisting Julian Alvarez for the 3-0.
RECORDS Every time Argentina played in the semi-finals of a World Cup, they advanced to the final. It happened in 1930, 1986, 1990 and 2014. With his goal, Messi also became the all-time goalscorer of Argentina in World Cups and equalised German Lothar Matthäus as the player with the most World Cup presences (25).
Unlike the Round of 16 and the quarterfinals, Argentina did not suffer in the end and Scaloni even managed to give away three debuts: Dybala, Correa and Foyth played in the last minutes when Lusail looked as an Argentinian stadium and more than 40,000 fans cheered the catchy song “Muchachos”, revering their country, Diego Maradona and the hopes to win the third World Cup.
On Sunday, at this stadium, it will be the second World Cup final for Messi after Brazil 2014 and his last chance to lift the desired trophy, against either France or Morocco, who will play today the other semi-final at Al Bayt.
“On Sunday no matter what, on Sunday we must win,” Messi sang with his fans, just as if he was one of them. And he certainly is.
