Argentina looked like they would have their work cut out against Croatia in the World Cup semi-final, but a Lionel Messi masterclass helped them breeze into the final.
The forward scored a penalty and produced one of the assists of the tournament as along with a Julian Alvarez double they helped end Luka Modric's World Cup dream for Croatia.
Here is how both sets of players rated at the Lusail Iconic Stadium.
Argentina (4-4-2)
Emiliano Martinez - Was rarely tested to his limits but looked alert in a polished display to deny Croatia's rare attempts on target. 6.5
Nahuel Molina - The amazing run in the first half had the Croatian defence in a panic in the build up to the second goal and was rarely tested on the flank. 7
Cristian Romero - Typically robust in the tackle but never allowed the Croatia attack a sniff through the centre and led by example despite picking up a standard booking. 7.5
Nicolas Otamendi - The quieter of the two Argentina defenders but he too rarely put a foot wrong despite Croatia's poor attempts to get back into the game. 6
Nicolas Tagliafico - Recalled into a back four and the faith in him was repaid with a lively showing. Solid in defence and a useful attacking outlet as well. 6.5
Rodrigo De Paul - Not his best game of the tournament, and the game largely passed him by. Like his team-mates though he did little wrong before he was eventually replaced. 5.5
Leandro Paredes - Enjoyed a solid game on his return to the side but no more. Made way after the hour mark so Argentina could add numbers to the defence. 5.5
Enzo Fernandez - Helped keep the pressure up on the Croatia defence attacking mainly on the left but drifted in and out of the game. 6
Alexis Mac Allister - The Brighton star looked sharp. Unfortunate to see a first half header well saved before a second half effort was fired just wide. 6.5
Lionel Messi - His World Cup just keeps getting better. His assist for Argentina's third goal will be talked about for many years to come - especially if it leads to a triumph on Sunday. 8.5
Julian Alvarez - As the tournament has gone on he has built a real understanding with Messi to form a lethal partnership. Deserved his two goals, even if he was fortunate to be gifted the first. 8
SUBSTITUTES
Exequiel Palacios - Game was already won by the time he game on with 16 minutes to play and so had fairly little impact. 6
Lisandro Martinez - Brought on to bolster a defence that was already looking comfortable. Croatia though did go close to scoring seconds after his introduction. 6
Paulo Dybala - Brought on as a cameo just to give him some rare minutes in the tournament having fallen down the pecking order. 6
Croatia (4-3-3)
Dominik Livakovic - His saves were crucial against Brazil, but he conceded the penalty that led to a Croatia collapse they never recovered from. Still though produced a couple of decent stops. 5.5
Josip Juranovic - Nowhere near as effective on the right flank as he was against the Brazil and was easily shut down from an attacking standpoint. 5
Dejan Lovren - His error for the first goal led to Croatia's semi-final collapse, and he also missed a chance to pull a goal back in the second after failing to convert a flick on at the far post. 4
Josko Gvardiol - One of the defenders of the tournament but he had no answer for Lionel Messi who danced around him all evening. 5.5
Borna Sosa - Endured a really poor evening, with his dreadful attempt at trying to clear the ball for the second goal seeing him slip and fall before Alvarez scored. Subbed at the break. 4
Marcelo Brozovic - The least effective of Croatia's midfielders up until his departure and he only saw five minutes of the second half before he was subbed. 6
Mateo Kovacic - Started well and made a couple of encouraging surging runs but he faded badly in the second half as Croatia laboured for a way back into the game. 5.5
Luka Modric - As Croatia struggled, the midfield maestro couldn't get his team going creatively. Replaced late on in what could be his international farewell after Sunday's third place play-off. 6
Mario Pasalic - Couldn't quite get as involved as he did in the Brazil game and like Sosa he too was replaced at the break. 5
Ivan Perisic - Was the liveliest of the attackers but his finishing even from half-chances just wasn't threatening enough to trouble Martinez. 5.5
Andrej Kramaric - Was perhaps lucky to start after a poor showing against Brazil, and he was again ineffective before departing as a substitute once the game was lost at 3-0 down. 6.5
SUBSTITUTES
Mislav Orsic - Introduced energy into the attack against Brazil, but seemed to have the opposite effect in Lusail with the game completely passing him by. 6
Bruno Petkovic - Added presence to the attack but not enough to give the Argentina defence much to worry about. 6
Nikola Vlasic - Croatia's midfield wasn't doing much before he was introduced at half-time but he hardly helped matters with a weak display. 5.5
Marko Livaja - The game was long lost when he came on at 3-0 down but he was still hardly an upgrade on replacement Kramaric. 5.5
