Lionel Messi and Julian Alvarez, Argentina’s dynamic combo, led the South American powers to a 3-0 victory over Croatia, the runners-up from the 2018 World Cup, on Wednesday at the Lusail Stadium, propelling them to the Qatar World Cup 2022 finals.
Argentina defeated Croatia emphatically, 3-0, in the Qatar World Cup 2022 semifinals on Wednesday, putting Lionel Messi’s dream of winning the World Cup just one game away. The 35-year-old magician joined the celebration at Doha’s Lusail Stadium together with brilliant striker Julian Alvarez, whose brace guaranteed La Albiceleste’s spot in the December 18 final. The winner of the semifinal match between France and Morocco will play Argentina.
Dominik Livakovi, the goalkeeper for Croatia, pulled Julian Alvarez to the ground at the penalty spot during Wednesday’s semifinal match. Messi struck the penalty kick into the top corner to give his country the lead after 33 minutes.
The Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) player scored a penalty to become Argentina’s record goalscorer in the tournament with 11 goals after setting the all-time appearance record at the championship game (tied with Lothar Matthaus with 25 games).
After a swift Argentina counterattack, Alvarez moved into the box, watched the ball rebound back into his path, and then tapped the ball home from eight yards out to double the lead six minutes later.
Livakovic needed to be ready to make an instinctive save to stop the opposition as Lionel Scaloni’s squad started to turn the tables on them as Alexis MacAllister’s close-range header approached the goal.
After turning Joko Gvardiol inside out on the byline and passing the ball into the path of Alvarez, who slid into the bottom corner to make it three, Messi made an incredible assist to help Argentina secure its place in the finals during the second half.
On Twitter, Argentina supporters shared their happiness at seeing their side advance to the Qatar World Cup 2022 finals, with the majority of admirers praising the outstanding Messi and Alvarez team.
“The focus is on Messi, but Julian Alvarez, a 22-year-old Calchin native, is having quite the tournament! Messi scored against Croatia after converting the penalty kick after being fouled. The little spider that asked Messi for a selfie just ten years ago has scored three goals so far at this World Cup “tweeted one supporter of Argentina.
Another admirer said, “Julian Alvarez has four goals in the World Cup so far, only Messi and Mbappe have more. Even while those are impressive stats, focusing just on them nearly diminishes his totality. Argentina’s competition shifted after Alvarez’s debut.”
“2012 until 2022. Lionel Messi with Julian Alvarez. Things of dreams! “said a third supporter.