Lionel Messi converted the penalty and young forward Julián Álvarez scored the other two goals. Both superstars shone as Argentina beat Croatia on Wednesday to set up a meeting with either France or Morocco in Sunday’s FIFA World Cup 2022 final. This will be Messi’s second World Cup final.
He and his team will surely remember the 2014 final defeat against Germany and will be in ‘redemption’ mode for this Sunday’s final. This could definitely be Messi’s last World Cup and he will do everything possible to get his hands on that beautiful golden trophy. In Sunday’s final clash too, many records were broken and many more were waiting to be broken.
The seven-time Ballon d’Or holder has equaled Germany’s Lothar Matthäus record for most appearances at the FIFA World Cup.
Messi has also equaled Diego Maradona’s number of assists in FIFA World Cup history for Argentina.
Messi was awarded his fourth Player of the Match award in Qatar, adding to his first six, making him the player with the most Player of the Match awards in FIFA World Cup history.
“Even though we lost our first match, we believed that this group was going to move on,” Messi said. “We know what we are, and we call on fans to believe in us.”
Messi is thrilling his legion of fans along the way, epitomizing his confidence and swagger with his swivel and driving run to set up the third goal for Alvarez in the 69th minute. He is leading Argentina to their third World Cup title, scoring in five of their six games in Qatar. He also saved a penalty in a game in which he did not score.
Croatia failed in their bid to reach a second straight World Cup final after conceding two goals in the space of five minutes from the 34th when the team looked comfortable at the Lusail Stadium.
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni was in tears after the final whistle, although celebrations were generally quieter than in previous games. Messi was among them all as he continues to have perhaps his best World Cup ever.