A LIONEL MESSI-inspired Argentina proved too much for Luka Modric’s Croatia as the South Amricans won by the largest margin they have all tournament.
Since their lost to Saudi Arabia, all the games were like a knockout and on Tuesday they gave their best performance. Can Argentina be peaking at the right time?
This match did not have the drama as between Argentina and Holland nor were Croatia able to replicate the performance against Brazil.
In the space of five minutes, Argentina scored two goals. In the 34th minute Messi scored a penalty and in the 39th Julian Alvarez got the ball in the back of the net to make it 2-0. In the 69th we saw shades of a younger Messi as he took to the flank and ran, turned, dribbled and passed to set up the final goal. It is hard to believe that Messi is 35 years.
He is now the Golden Boot leader in the World Cup as well as Argentina’s leading World cup scorer. He has one more chance to match the late great Diego Maradona.
Croatia has had a strong tournament and should not be disappointed because it was the Messi show. It was the first time they were beaten in this World Cup and it is sad to see the end of Luka Modric. Croatia are a European heavyweight and it is hard to believe that this country of only four million can produce such talent.
This will be Messi’s second championship game (Argentina lost to Germany in 2014) and he is hoping to do one better this time. His class will again be needed for a last game on Sunday against either France or Morocco.
Croatia had the lion’s share of possession at 61% with 12 shots and two on target. They also had an incredible 608 passes compared to only 399 for Argentina.
They were unable to score and this cost them a place in the finals.
Vintage Messi Too Much for Croatia: Argentina into Finals
Qatar 2022 Semifinal 1
Tuesday, December 13, 2022
Argentina 3 to 0 Croatia
By Gerald Lutchman
A LIONEL MESSI-inspired Argentina proved too much for Luka Modric’s Croatia as the South Amricans won by the largest margin they have all tournament.
Since their lost to Saudi Arabia, all the games were like a knockout and on Tuesday they gave their best performance. Can Argentina be peaking at the right time?
This match did not have the drama as between Argentina and Holland nor were Croatia able to replicate the performance against Brazil.
In the space of five minutes, Argentina scored two goals. In the 34th minute Messi scored a penalty and in the 39th Julian Alvarez got the ball in the back of the net to make it 2-0. In the 69th we saw shades of a younger Messi as he took to the flank and ran, turned, dribbled and passed to set up the final goal. It is hard to believe that Messi is 35 years.
He is now the Golden Boot leader in the World Cup as well as Argentina’s leading World cup scorer. He has one more chance to match the late great Diego Maradona.
Croatia has had a strong tournament and should not be disappointed because it was the Messi show. It was the first time they were beaten in this World Cup and it is sad to see the end of Luka Modric. Croatia are a European heavyweight and it is hard to believe that this country of only four million can produce such talent.
This will be Messi’s second championship game (Argentina lost to Germany in 2014) and he is hoping to do one better this time. His class will again be needed for a last game on Sunday against either France or Morocco.
Croatia had the lion’s share of possession at 61% with 12 shots and two on target. They also had an incredible 608 passes compared to only 399 for Argentina.
They were unable to score and this cost them a place in the finals.
Wednesday: