Argentina have reached the FIFA World Cup final for the second time since the 2014 edition following a convincing 3-0 win over last edition’s beaten finalist, Croatia.
Croatia, who had beaten Argentina by the same scoreline over four years ago in Russia in a group D meeting had only conceded three goals on their way to the semis, while eliminating Brazil in the last round.
However, Argentina proved too much a force for them and despite Croatia’s early dominance, it was the South American champions who broke the deadlock from a Lionel Messi’s penalty just four minutes after the half hour mark.
Julian Alvarez was sent clear on goal and chipped the ball past Livakovic. However, it was the player who clattered into the Goalkeeper but Italian referee, Daniele Orsato pointed to the spot and booked Livakovic as a result, while Mateo Kovacic was also booked for protesting.
Messi converted the penalty for his fifth goal in the ongoing tournament and his eleventh in FIFA World Cup finals, making him Argentina’s all-time leading Goalscorer in the competition, overtaking Gabriel Batistuta.
Five minutes later, Julian Alvarez scored to double Argentina’s lead. After getting the ball from Messi as Argentina break following a Croatia set piece, the Man City striker moved up field, losing possession a couple of times but the ball luckily bounced to his path until he put it into the back of the net for 2-0.
The game was finally put to bed nine minutes after the hour mark as a brilliant run from Lionel Messi down the right and beat Gvardiol before setting up Alvarez for a simple finish.
The goal was Alvarez’s fourth in this tournament, which makes the 22 year old the second youngest Argentine to score four goals in a FIFA World Cup finals since Gonzalo Higuain in 2010
Argentina reached the FIFA World Cup final for the sixth time, as many as Brazil, and this is their second final appearance in the last three editions. Only Germany have reached more final of the tournament than Argentina, eight.
Lionel Scaloni’s side now awaits the winner of the second semi final between France and Morocco to learn their opponent in the final on Sunday.
Author: Kehinde Hassan Afolabi
