Argentina finalista / Messi’s dream lives on as Argentina defeats Croatia to reach the World Cup final

diciembre 13, 2022 La Semana

Goleó a Croacia 3-0 con un Messi brillante y un partido consagratorio de Julián Álvarez. La Albiceleste se puso al frente de la mano de su capitán, que facturó de penal. A los pocos minutos, el ex delantero de River Plate anotó de arremetida para el segundo tanto. En el complemento, tras una gran acción individual del 10, volvió a anotar el joven atacante del Manchester City. El próximo domingo, el equipo de Scaloni espera por Francia o Marruecos en la definición.

Con un Messi brillante, autor del primer gol y que fue el artífice de la jugada del tercer tanto, sumado a un doblete de Julián Álvarez, el equipo de Lionel Scaloni superó 3-0 a Croacia y jugará el partido decisivo de la Copa del Mundo. Ahora, a esperar por Francia o Marruecos. ¡Un paso más, Argentina!

Messi’s dream lives on as Argentina defeats Croatia to reach the World Cup final

AL DAAYEN, Qatar — Argentina and Lionel Messi have done it yet again. The South American powerhouse will play in the World Cup final after defeating Croatia 3-0.

It was the fifth time Argentina has played in a World Cup semifinal. And it is the fifth time it has advanced to a final (defeating the USA in 1930, Belgium in 1986, Italy in 1990 and the Netherlands in 2014). The last time Argentina won the World Cup was in 1986.

It was a cautious start to the match as both Argentina and Croatia played conservatively – not wanting to make an early mistake. But Argentina took control after a half hour and never looked back.

In the 32nd minute, Julián Álvarez went one-on-one with Croatian keeper Dominik Livaković who brought Álvarez down – winning a penalty kick. Argentina star Lionel Messi then stepped up to do what he seemingly always does. Calmly and coolly, he punched the ball high and to the right giving his side a 1-0 lead.

Álvarez wasn’t done. In the 39th minute, he led a counterattack and dribbled all the way from midfield, sprinted through three Croatian defenders, and lofted the ball past Livaković to give Argentina a 2-0 lead at the half.
Livaković had shined in goal this tournament. But an unrelenting Argentina offense and some Croatian defensive lapses proved to be too much.

The beautiful tandem of Messi and Álvarez had one more sparkling moment against Croatia. In the 69th minute, Messi had a moment of unbelievable ballhandling against Croatia defender Joško Gvardiol on the right side of the goal. Messi then found Álvarez who powered it in for the 3-0 lead. Of Croatia’s ten shots on goal, only two were on target.

Argentina entered this match having lost only one of their last 41 international games (28 wins, 12 draws). While Croatia, runners-up in the 2018 tournament, had lost just one of their last 12 World Cup matches.

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