Argentina's master and pupil Lionel Messi and Julian Alvarez combined to deadly effect as they reached their sixth World Cup final with victory over Croatia at Lusail Stadium.

Messi now gets one last chance to win the piece of silverware that has eluded him in his trophy-laden career but Manchester City's 22-year-old striker Alvarez claimed at least an equal share of top billing as Argentina ensured they will return here on Sunday to face either France or Morocco.
Argentina's little genius looked to be struggling with a hamstring problem early on but recovered enough to break the deadlock from the penalty spot after 34 minutes following Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic's foul on the marauding Alvarez.

Alvarez doubled Argentina's lead five minutes later when he took Messi's header just inside Croatian territory and embarked on a slaloming run, aided by fortunate bounces off Josip Juranovic and Borna Sosa, before beating Livakovic.
There was no fortune involved in a brilliant third after the break as Messi mesmerised Croatia's excellent defender Josko Gvardiol on the byeline before playing in Alvarez for the finish.
Messi will now have the opportunity to make amends for the bitter disappointment of losing the 2014 World Cup final to Germany in Rio's iconic Maracana.
Match Events
25' Livakovic makes a brilliant save
33' Penalty Goal! Argentina 1-0 Croatia (Messi)
38' GOAL! Argentina 2-0 Croatia (Julián Álvarez)
43' SAVE! Fine stop from world-class Livakovic
55' Missed! Argentina almost scores a third goal
57' Messi nearly scores for Argentina!
61' Martinez is ready to step up
67' Yellow Card! Romero booked
68' GOAL! Argentina 3-0 Croatia (Julián Álvarez)
Line-ups
Argentina XI: Messi, Otamendi, E. Martinez, Tagliafico, Paredes, De Paul, Nahuel Molina, Romero, Mac Allister, Julián Álvarez, Enzo Fernández
Subs: Di Maria, F. Armani, Gerónimo Rulli, Pezzella, Dybala, Correa, G. Rodriguez, Exequiel Palacios, Lautaro, Foyth, Martinez, Thiago Almada
Croatia XI: Modric, Perisic, Lovren, Kramaric, Brozovic, Kovacic, D. Livaković, Pasalic, Borna Sosa, Josip Juranovic, Josko Gvardiol
Subs: Budimir, D. Vida, Mislav Orsic, Marko Livaja, Ivica Ivusic, Ivo Grbic, Petkovic, Borna Barisic, Vlasic, Martin Erlic, Kristijan Jakic, Lovro Majer, Josip Stanisic, Luka Sucic, Josip Sutalo
eggosa91
2061
the pic the world want to see 🌝 where are my Messi fan in the app 🌝
RaghibMustafa
1160
What a performance.. when you learn from the Goat...
Jakarta112
1012
Magical left footed player, if you love Messi and Argentina 🇦🇷 gather here and show some ❤️💯
Kingdeen
783
The lost for Croatia just started when their coach says " No Man Marking for Messi" And the King takes it personally
RaghibMustafa
691
You are doing good when you get appreciation from the LEGENDS.....
1barcaspurs
566
◉ Most World Cup goals scored by active players: Lionel Messi ◉ Most World Cup assists provided by active players: Lionel Messi 🐐 things.
Rankingbah
529
where is this guy, am looking for him please 🙏 help me locate him.
N0_N0NsENSE
505
🚨 Messi is now the top scorer and the top assister at the World Cup 2022. 🇦🇷🐐
Zipidiyi
432
8th Balon for loading plus world cup
Paciottispiritman
418
On fire 🔥
Ibrahimsmile
379
Respect 🫡
Ibrahimsmile
370
Haaland blood 🩸 in his vein
Amgnonijunior
333
Alvarez is a joy to watch. what a wonderful performance from him 👏
9jaysuchapter
243
One man army, am i dreaming😭😭
jojooski
140
no player has ever done what he did nd doing what he's done he carried an entire nation on his back he dribbles, he creat chances he assists he scores he is in conversation for best freekick takers for best play makers for best dribblers for best scorers ladies and gentlemen I present to u Lionel messi the player with highest ballon'd'ors highest assist highest golden Boot highest motm award highest goals scored in a calender year highest goal contribution ever the myth the legend the GOAT there was no like him there will be no one like him he is a gift from God to all football lovers the emperor king of kings
FootbaII⚽/Fan
133
Record Man Messi: >Most penalty missed in 21st century >Most penalty missed in world cup history >Most penalty missed in champions league history >First player in the history to retire after missing penalty 🤡 Scored more than half goals of his WC via penalties He doesn’t follow records, records follows him 🇦🇷🐐 Give me penalty Give me Bolivia or i retire?🥶.
Fihacekry
39
Record Man Messi: >Most penalty missed in 21st century >Most penalty missed in world cup history >Most penalty missed in champions league history >First player in the history to retire after missing penalty 🤡 Scored more than half goals of his WC via penalties He doesn’t follow records, records follows him 🇦🇷🐐 Give me penalty Give me Bolivia or i retire?🥶.
You are actually humiliating urself with these kind of comment.. Some Messi haters will like ur post nothing will change dude..
goIazo
28
Record Man Messi: >Most penalty missed in 21st century >Most penalty missed in world cup history >Most penalty missed in champions league history >First player in the history to retire after missing penalty 🤡 Scored more than half goals of his WC via penalties He doesn’t follow records, records follows him 🇦🇷🐐 Give me penalty Give me Bolivia or i retire?🥶.
keep crying 😹
ManjunathRolli
23
Record Man Messi: >Most penalty missed in 21st century >Most penalty missed in world cup history >Most penalty missed in champions league history >First player in the history to retire after missing penalty 🤡 Scored more than half goals of his WC via penalties He doesn’t follow records, records follows him 🇦🇷🐐 Give me penalty Give me Bolivia or i retire?🥶.
pain, ronaldo's sister spotted 😂😂😂😂
Richforever17
22
Record Man Messi: >Most penalty missed in 21st century >Most penalty missed in world cup history >Most penalty missed in champions league history >First player in the history to retire after missing penalty 🤡 Scored more than half goals of his WC via penalties He doesn’t follow records, records follows him 🇦🇷🐐 Give me penalty Give me Bolivia or i retire?🥶.
oh my God..you can cry all night I don't care 😭 😭
YoDaddy8
22
where is this guy, am looking for him please 🙏 help me locate him.
[image]
that guy decided to make a new profile after that 😂
Factos
21
Record Man Messi: >Most penalty missed in 21st century >Most penalty missed in world cup history >Most penalty missed in champions league history >First player in the history to retire after missing penalty 🤡 Scored more than half goals of his WC via penalties He doesn’t follow records, records follows him 🇦🇷🐐 Give me penalty Give me Bolivia or i retire?🥶.
Good, now say that without crying.[Crylaugh]
Advik_10
20
Record Man Messi: >Most penalty missed in 21st century >Most penalty missed in world cup history >Most penalty missed in champions league history >First player in the history to retire after missing penalty 🤡 Scored more than half goals of his WC via penalties He doesn’t follow records, records follows him 🇦🇷🐐 Give me penalty Give me Bolivia or i retire?🥶.
Ronaldo is gonna retire after watching Messi win the WC
yuyaklopr
19
Record Man Messi: >Most penalty missed in 21st century >Most penalty missed in world cup history >Most penalty missed in champions league history >First player in the history to retire after missing penalty 🤡 Scored more than half goals of his WC via penalties He doesn’t follow records, records follows him 🇦🇷🐐 Give me penalty Give me Bolivia or i retire?🥶.
keep crying bro 😂😂😂
moshfatboy123
18
Record Man Messi: >Most penalty missed in 21st century >Most penalty missed in world cup history >Most penalty missed in champions league history >First player in the history to retire after missing penalty 🤡 Scored more than half goals of his WC via penalties He doesn’t follow records, records follows him 🇦🇷🐐 Give me penalty Give me Bolivia or i retire?🥶.
See your fellow failure
fortunate0001
15
Record Man Messi: >Most penalty missed in 21st century >Most penalty missed in world cup history >Most penalty missed in champions league history >First player in the history to retire after missing penalty 🤡 Scored more than half goals of his WC via penalties He doesn’t follow records, records follows him 🇦🇷🐐 Give me penalty Give me Bolivia or i retire?🥶.
Lol! Only greatness recognizes greatness. You can never understand greatness.
bahe
13
Messi is a pure class. Haters saying many excuses. First they told messi doesnt have a national cup. when he got copa they said copa is a mickey mouse trophy. when they won finalissima Italy became 100th rank team. when they came qatar they told messi paid money to qatar. when he lost to saudi they forgot eveythng and were happy. but when they startd winning then begun to curse referee and Fifa.. so happy to see the haters cry
powarstuyz
13
I will get 100 Likes for this picture
tezcdknpz
12
Record Man Messi: >Most penalty missed in 21st century >Most penalty missed in world cup history >Most penalty missed in champions league history >First player in the history to retire after missing penalty 🤡 Scored more than half goals of his WC via penalties He doesn’t follow records, records follows him 🇦🇷🐐 Give me penalty Give me Bolivia or i retire?🥶.
Waisted sperms
mawilmtz
11
Record Man Messi: >Most penalty missed in 21st century >Most penalty missed in world cup history >Most penalty missed in champions league history >First player in the history to retire after missing penalty 🤡 Scored more than half goals of his WC via penalties He doesn’t follow records, records follows him 🇦🇷🐐 Give me penalty Give me Bolivia or i retire?🥶.
keep crying 😂
Donbekosy
10
Record Man Messi: >Most penalty missed in 21st century >Most penalty missed in world cup history >Most penalty missed in champions league history >First player in the history to retire after missing penalty 🤡 Scored more than half goals of his WC via penalties He doesn’t follow records, records follows him 🇦🇷🐐 Give me penalty Give me Bolivia or i retire?🥶.
i love you as a human. If what you wrote will save you from heart problem tonight, I stand by you with this. Infact it will help you live on to get the biggest disappointment in your life on Sunday.
militoxchange
10
Record Man Messi: >Most penalty missed in 21st century >Most penalty missed in world cup history >Most penalty missed in champions league history >First player in the history to retire after missing penalty 🤡 Scored more than half goals of his WC via penalties He doesn’t follow records, records follows him 🇦🇷🐐 Give me penalty Give me Bolivia or i retire?🥶.
Go and stand with 100 people watching to play a penalty come back and tell me how it feels it was that same penalty that made Kane cry all because e did not score why the hate ?
Jigdrel2002
10
Record Man Messi: >Most penalty missed in 21st century >Most penalty missed in world cup history >Most penalty missed in champions league history >First player in the history to retire after missing penalty 🤡 Scored more than half goals of his WC via penalties He doesn’t follow records, records follows him 🇦🇷🐐 Give me penalty Give me Bolivia or i retire?🥶.
Hahah actually why are you crying ??? Or is your BP high?
Rohcdmptuz
10
Still ronaldo is the GOAT O
sure ok[Crylaugh]
GAMEMAKERVA
9
Record Man Messi: >Most penalty missed in 21st century >Most penalty missed in world cup history >Most penalty missed in champions league history >First player in the history to retire after missing penalty 🤡 Scored more than half goals of his WC via penalties He doesn’t follow records, records follows him 🇦🇷🐐 Give me penalty Give me Bolivia or i retire?🥶.
jatadopruz
9
Record Man Messi: >Most penalty missed in 21st century >Most penalty missed in world cup history >Most penalty missed in champions league history >First player in the history to retire after missing penalty 🤡 Scored more than half goals of his WC via penalties He doesn’t follow records, records follows him 🇦🇷🐐 Give me penalty Give me Bolivia or i retire?🥶.
It hurts [Crylaugh]
Laggos
8
On fire 🔥
[image]
Argentina and Messi can trust Alvares to carry on the the legacy after Messi retires from football with the WC trophy
Vedcmnorsy
8
Record Man Messi: >Most penalty missed in 21st century >Most penalty missed in world cup history >Most penalty missed in champions league history >First player in the history to retire after missing penalty 🤡 Scored more than half goals of his WC via penalties He doesn’t follow records, records follows him 🇦🇷🐐 Give me penalty Give me Bolivia or i retire?🥶.
He's playing the.finals for a second time and he didn't steal any goals
Dulom
8
where is this guy, am looking for him please 🙏 help me locate him.
[image]
Tears of joy!! 😂
muhammad9963
8
Messi is the incarnation of all the great players before him 👏 that's why he is All in one
Mosanya
8
Messi completes football and football completes Messi. 🐐🔥