Lionel Messi will have another, and perhaps final shot at Fifa World Cup glory after Argentina defeated Croatia 3-0 in the first semi-final on Tuesday night.
After losing in the World Cup final in 2014, it seemed as if the chance at winning the World Cup had passed for Messi.
However, this time around in Qatar the Argentine team from before a ball had been kicked showed belief that their dream could become a reality.
All that stood in the way of Argentina making a second final in eight years was a tricky Croatian side.
After knocking out Brazil, Croatia may have felt the momentum was with them and the Europeans played with a freedom not seen in their previous fixtures.
The usually resolute Croatian side took the game to Argentina, perhaps more suited to the South American side.
That freedom came back to haunt Croatia when their usually sound defence was split open to allow Manchester City striker Julian Alvarez through on goal.
The youngster tapped the ball around Croatian goalkeeper but Dominik Livaković was adjudged to have brought down Alvarez down in the box.
While there was some doubt about the awarding of the penalty, there was no doubt as to who would take it as Messi stepped up.
The 35-year-old obliged as expected, putting the ball far beyond the goalkeeper’s reach in the top right corner.
The goal not only gave Argentina the lead but was Messi’s 11th World Cup goal, making him the country’s highest goal scorer at the showpiece.
Argentina were in the driving seat but even they knew another goal was needed for security.
That moment arrived when Alvarez picked up the ball on the halfway line and with the help of a few fortunate bounces, tapped the ball into the back of the net to double Argentina’s lead.
A dejected Croatia had to do something they had not done before in Qatar, score more than one goal.
Those hopes were well and truly dashed when Alvarez was on the end of a sensational Messi assist to score Argentina’s third and final goal of the night.
Argentina have not won the World Cup since 1986, either Morocco or France will stand in the way of them winning it once again.
Pictured above: Lionel Messi and Julian Alvarez
Image source: @FifaWorldCup
