Lionel Messi’s dream is still alive, as his inspirational performance against Croatia propelled Argentina to the World Cup final.
Messi scored the first goal from the penalty spot, but saved his best for the third, twisting and turning past Josko Gvardiol before setting up Julian Alvarez for a simple tap-in. The Albiceleste will face either France or Morocco in the final on Sunday.
Argentina reached the World Cup final for the first time since 2014, thanks to a 3-0 semi-final victory over Croatia.
Lionel Messi converted a penalty, and Julian Alvarez scored twice.
Messi, looking to win the World Cup for the first time in his fifth and likely final appearance, converted a first-half penalty to become Argentina’s all-time leading scorer with 11 goals.
After Messi went on a dazzling dribble after the break to set up Alvarez for a tap-in, Alvarez ran half the length of the pitch to double the Albiceleste’s lead.
Messi tied Diego Maradona’s Argentina record of eight World Cup assists, and this was his 25th World Cup appearance, matching Germany legend Lothar Matthaus.
The 35-year-old will now captain Argentina in Sunday’s final against France or Morocco, as the country seeks to become world champions for the first time since the Maradona-inspired campaign of 1986, and the third time overall.
SOURCE: Eurosport.com