Magic Messi Bungkam Croatia 3-0, Argentina To The 2022 World Cup Final

JAKARTA - The first semifinal of the 2022 World Cup which brought together Argentina versus Croatia at the Lusail Stadium, Doha, Qatar, Wednesday morning WIB, was won by the motor team with a score of 3-0. Lionel Scaloni's children scored through Lionel Messi and Julian Alvarez's brace.

In this match, Argentina made two changes to their line-up. Nicolas Tagliafico was named left-back to replace Marcos Acuna who was suspended for card accumulation, while Leandro Paredes was played in midfield with defender Leandro Martinez on the bench.

Argentina captain Lionel Messi played his 25th match at the World Cup to match German Lothar Matthaeus as a shared record holder for most appearances in the tournament.

As for Croatia, started with the same team as they beat Brazil in the quarter-finals. Captain Luka Modric remains a mainstay in midfield, accompanied by Marcelo Brozovic and Mateo Kovacic.

In the first half, Argentina's defensive game proved powerful. Asyikan controlled the ball for 30 minutes of the first half, Croatia was caught off guard by Albiceleste's counter-attack.

As a result, in the 34th minute, Alvarez was brought down by Dominik Livakovic and resulted in a penalty kick for Tim motorcade. In addition, the goalkeeper was also given a yellow card by the Italian referee, Ciro Carbone.

Messi, who became the executioner, did not waste the opportunity to bring his team 1-0 up and at the same time break Gabriel Batistuta's record at the World Cup with 11 goals.

Magical 🪄#FIFAWorldCup | #Qatar2022 pic.twitter.com/Wz3cocaGYH

— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) December 13, 2022

It didn't stop there, Alvarez took Albiceleste away from Modric et al after a solo run which ended with a weak shot into the Livakovic goal in the 39th minute. Argentina took a 2-0 lead over Zlatko Dali's side until halftime.

Delivering for their country... again! 🇦🇷#FIFAWorldCup | #ARG pic.twitter.com/nCu9SW5Fys

— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) December 13, 2022

In the second interval, Messi came close to getting Albiceleste to widen the gap after taking action one or two with Enzo Fernandez. However, Livakovic managed to block the ball from La Pulga's kick.

In 62 minutes, former Liverpool defender Dejan Lovren could reduce Croatia's defeat through a set piece scheme. However, goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez swiftly took advantage of the wild ball.

Messi again showed his master's magic in the 71st minute. Longing on the left side of the Croatian defense, the Paris Saint-Germain star pushed the ball at Alvarez who was inside the penalty box.

With ease, the Manchester City player stabbed the ball for the second time and brought Albiceleste to leave Croatia with three balls. This score lasted until the referee blew the long whistle signaling the game was over.

🇦🇷✨ pic.twitter.com/kIl1yQsNQn

— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) December 13, 2022

Argentina is in the 2022 World Cup final and will face the winner between France versus Morocco who has just played on Thursday at 02.00 WIB. The final will take place on Sunday, December 18 at 22.00 WIB.

Line-up: Argentina (4-4-2): Emiliano Martinez; Nahuel Molina, Cristian Romero, Nicolas Otamendi, Nicolas Tagliafico; Rodrigo De Paul, Leandro Paredes, Enzo Fernandez, Alexis Mac Allister; Lionel Messi (capt), Julian Alvarez

Coach: Lionel Scaloni (Argentina)

Croatia (4-3-3):Dominic Livakovic; Josip Juranovic, Dejan Lovren, Josko Gvardiol, Borna Sosa; Luka Modric (capt), Marcelo Brozovic, Mateo Kovacic; Mario Pasalic, Andrej Kramaric, Ivan Perisic

Coach: Zlatko Dalic (Kroasia)