Lionel Messi produced a magical display to inspire Argentina to a 3-0 win over Croatia and fire his side into Sunday’s World Cup final.

Messi, 35, put his side 1-0 ahead from the penalty spot in the 34th minute at the Lusail Stadium on Tuesday before Julian Alvarez’s stunning solo run and finish made it 2-0 just five minutes later.

The pair combined again for Argentina’s third, in the 69th minute, when Messi toyed with Croatia’s Josko Gvardiol out wide before driving past him into the box and laying on a pass for Alvarez to slot home.

Croatia, for all their control of the ball, were toothless throughout and registered just a single shot on target.

Argentina will now face either France or Morocco in the final, which will also be played at the 88,000-capacity Lusail Stadium.

France and Morocco go head-to-head in their semifinal on Wednesday.

Source Al Jazeera 

BDST: 0311 HRS, DEC 14, 2022
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