Lionel Messi scored his fifth goal in the ongoing Qatar 2022 World Cup to become Argentina’s all-time scorer, as Argentina beat off a frenzied Croatia to win 3-0 on Tuesday and reach the final for the sixth time.
Messi put his side ahead after converting a penalty in the 34th minute. It was his 11th career World Cup goal.
Messi’s goal started a stretch of play that put Croatia on the ropes. Alvarez scored Argentina’s second in the 39th minute.
Alvarez then tenaciously bundled his way through a scattered Croatia defence on the counter-attack to double the lead and the two goalscorers combined delightfully in the 69th minute – Messi tormenting Josko Gvardiol with a mesmerising dribble before teeing up Alvarez for his fourth of the tournament.
Argentina will either face France or Morocco in the final on Sunday, December 18.