Who would have thought that after the scare on the debut (historic defeat with Saudi Arabia) Argentina would reach the final of the 2022 World Cup, coupled with the genius of Lionel Messi and the goals of Julian “spider” Álvarez to Croatia (3-0 ). The albiceleste took place in the sixth final of its history and is now waiting for the opponent (France or Morocco). With a monstrous display, the Argentine captain heard the stands glorify his name and invoke the god Maradona.
In the semi-final, Zlatko Dalic kept the same choices regarding the quarter-final match, against Brazil, while on the Argentinian side, Scaloni promoted two changes regarding the challenge with the Netherlands, betting on Tagliafico and Leandro Walls for the places of Marcos Acuña (suspended) and Lisandro Martinez.
The game was too important for anyone to put all their cards on the table at the start. No one immediately took over operations, although the Argentines showed more initiative – Enzo had the first chance of goal stopped by Livakovic in the 25th minute – given the Croats’ more patient and circulating play, and without Modric’s genius.
In the game where he made 25 appearances in the World Championships and tied Matthäus as the player with the most appearances in the history of the competition, Lionel Messi played a game of slow carburation. Even without excelling, he added a new dimension to Argentina’s attacking moves every time he touched the ball, with passes to the back of the Croatian defense.
It was Albiceleste’s number 10 who ended the monotony of a well played game after 34 minutes, but without any great and blatant scoring chances. Livakovic knocked down Julian Álvarez and the referee did not shy away from awarding a penalty kick. The 11-meter mark is the goal of Messi, who scored five goals (three from the penalty spot) in Qatar with it. The goal put Argentina in control of their fate and made Messi the top scorer in the competition, with the same five goals as Mbappé, as well as making him Argentina’s all-time top goalscorer in World Cups (11).
A lot of history in one goal…
And in just five minutes the field was level for the Argentina side. An attacking ball from Croatia eventually led to a fierce counter-attack from Argentina, finished by Álvarez with some luck in the mix. The Manchester City attacker was happy with several rebounds and made it 2-0. There was nothing Livakovic could do to prevent the ‘spider’s smile, but he still prevented Croatia from going into halftime trailing by three.
The Croatian response attempt
Scaloni’s team opened the door to the final in the first 45 minutes… all they had to do was go in and Messi solved it with a monstrous display.
Croatia returned for the second half with Vlasic and Orsic (instead of Palasic and Sosa) and not five minutes later the coach returned to switch the team to launch Bruno Petkovic (excluding Brozovic) to face Tagliafico, Leandro Paredes and De to distract Paul. With the help of substitutions and a tactical change (from 4-3-3 to 4-4-2), the 2018 World Cup runner-up was placed in the Argentine midfield and Lovren could have reduced the deficit in the 62nd minute. Not much for someone who had to score at least two goals.
Scaloni showed that he was prepared for the biggest Croatian intimidation and strengthened the defense block with Lisandro Martínez. The attacking part was left to the pure genius of Messi. The captain dribbled the ball down the touchline, didn’t give up on Gvardiol with alternating turns and served Julian Álvarez for Argentina’s third and the end of Croatia’s ambition, unable to repeat the 2018 final.
And so, who for many is the best player ever, is in serious danger of retiring from the national team as world champion. You will see on Sunday.
SEE GAME STATISTICS HERE.
Source: DN
