by Lionel Messi is back in the World Cup final with Argentina on a mission to win football’s biggest award for the first time.
And at 35, he couldn’t have played better.
Messi closed a penalty and contributed to Julian Alvarez’s other two goals, as Argentina beat Croatia 3-0 on Tuesday and set up a match with either France or Morocco in Qatar on Sunday.
This will be Messi’s second World Cup final – Argentina lost the other to Germany in 2014 – and may be his last appearance in the tournament.
Still, it can be an excellent way to get out for a gamer who is widely regarded as one of the best, if not the best, players in the game.
Summing up his confidence and mood, Messi excites legions of fans along the way with his spin and drive run to determine the third goal for Alvarez in the 69th minute, which epitomizes his confidence and mood. He is responsible for leading Argentina to their third World Cup title, scoring goals in five of his six matches in Qatar.
He even had a penalty saved in the game where he did not concede a goal.
Croatia looked comfortable with the full team at the Lusail Stadium, failing in a bid to reach a second consecutive World Cup final after conceding two goals in a five-minute gap from the 34th minute.
There was a moment in the middle of the first half that should have frightened all Argentines when Messi grabbed and rubbed his left hamstring.
playing with opponent
Would Argentina’s superstar have to go out? There is no such chance for Croatia.
Soon after, Messi started playing with his opponents in a way only he could, putting Argentina ahead by taking the penalty into the top corner after Alvarez was kicked out by Dominik Livakovic after clipping the ball past Croatia’s goalkeeper.
Alvarez scored his first goal after a quick run from the midfield, which started with a short pass from Messi. Catching thin air, Josko Gvardiol, one of the best defenders of the World Cup, placed third after an uglier skill from his teammate near the right corner.
It was one game too much for Croatia, who beat Japan and Brazil on penalties in the knockout stage, and for Luka Modric, 37-year-old star midfielder who probably made his last game of the World Cup.
To sum up a frustrating game for the little midfield magician, he came in at the 81st minute and had a bright red nose after the ball hit his face a few minutes ago.
Argentina retained the record of never losing in the World Cup semi-finals and reached the final for the sixth time.
Those dark days after losing to Saudi Arabia in the opening group match seem like a long time ago for Argentina, which would have a hard time stopping in the final with Messi playing so well.
