Lionel Messi hailed as the GOAT by Gary Lineker and Jamie Carragher after World Cup win

Lionel Messi put in yet another stunning performance as Argentina beat Croatia to reach the World Cup final - and a number of football's biggest stars believe the 'GOAT' debate is now over.

The 35-year-old claimed a goal and two assists - setting up Julian Alvarez twice, the second coming after a mesmerising run from the halfway line - as Argentina ran out comfortable 3-0 winners on Tuesday night.

Messi and Argentina booked their spot in Sunday's World Cup final, with either France or Morocco - who play on Wednesday night - to join them.

Not only did Messi run the show, in scoring he also became Argentina's top World Cup scorer of all time with 11 goals, surpassing Gabriel Batistuta who scored 10.

The Paris Saint-Germain star also went level with Germany legend Lothar Matthaus' all-time World Cup appearance record, with a total of 25.

Pundit Gary Lineker, taking to Twitter after Messi's sublime assist for Alvarez's second goal, insisted the debate regarding football's all-time greatest talent is now over. 'Is there still a debate? Asking for a goat,' he wrote.

Jamie Carragher echoed Lineker's sentiments, adding: 'The best there has ever been!'

And Jeff Stelling, directing his message to Cristiano Ronaldo fan and friend Piers Morgan, added: 'So where are we now in the Ronaldo v Messi debate?'

Messi, in scoring against Croatia, also drew level with France star Kylian Mbappe in the race for the World Cup Golden Boot in Qatar on five goals.

The veteran attacker also became the first player to both score and assist in four separate matches at the World Cup since the 1966 edition of the tournament.

Messi's international record has long been criticised, with many picking fellow Argentinian Diego Maradona as their best-ever player, having inspired his country to World Cup victory in 1986.

The forward was instrumental as Argentina won Copa America last year, however, and he has once again played a vital role in Qatar.

There are still those who pick Brazil legend Pele as their greatest of all time, while Cristiano Ronaldo is, of course, also in the debate.

One man sticking up for Ronaldo in the debate is Piers Morgan, who still has him at the top of the list.

He wrote on Twitter: 'I think Cristiano Ronaldo’s the best ever, Maradona 2nd, Messi 3rd (possibly 4th actually, behind R9).'

All-time top Premier League scorer Alan Shearer added: 'What a pleasure it was to be in the stadium commentating for @5liveSport on this Argentina team and fans. Messi and Alvarez magnificent tonight.'

Meanwhile, Gary Neville - speaking on ITV after the game - added: 'I’ve got no sense of how he does that at that speed. 12 years ago he was running past people, now he’s adapting to the latter part of his career.

'Now he can go sleeping for 15-20 minutes. It feels like a mission for him. The rest of the team is so committed behind him.'