NEW DELHI: After taking his team to the World Cup final with a mesmerizing performance in Qatar, captain Lionel Messi has praised Argentina‘s intelligence on Wednesday.
The two-time champions beat Croatia 3-0 in their semi-final match at Lusail Stadium, rolling over Julian Alvarez two goals and that of Messi from the penalty spot. It was a contrasting victory for Argentina, having shown more courage than flair to beat the Netherlands on penalties in the quarter-finals.
“We are a smart team, we know how to read the game, we know how to suffer when necessary, when to press. Every detail counts in every game,” Messi told a press conference after the semi-final win. .
“We knew that sometimes they weren’t really neat and would leave space behind. I appreciate that a lot. I feel really good, strong enough to face every game,” said Messi, who equalized with The french team. Kylian Mbappe as the tournament’s top scorer with five goals, said.
Messi made the most of the available spaces to set up Alvarez for the third goal after a superb signing drive capped a remarkable performance.
“In the previous game (against the Netherlands), extra time was not easy. Today we were tired, but we got up to get this victory. We played very well, we prepared to play that way because we knew we would. “I don’t have the ball and I would need to run in this game. So we prepared very well for this game. Like we always do,” Messi added.
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Messi and Alvarez launch Argentina past Croatia in World Cup final
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An inspired Lionel Messi scored from the penalty spot and Julian Alvarez netted twice as Argentina beat Croatia 3-0 to reach their second World Cup final in eight years.
The double world champions, supported by a large majority of the crowd at the Lusail stadium, produced their best show of the tournament to ensure they face the winners of Thursday’s semi-final between holders France and Morocco on Sunday. final.
Messi, 35, who suffered a loss to Germany in the 2014 final, is desperate to cap off his extraordinary career by winning his first World Cup and bringing Argentina a third title to add to those won in 1978 and 1986.
Croatia, runners-up in Russia four years ago, paid the price for an atypically poor defense as they exited the last four for the second time after losing to France in 1998 in their first tournament.
Livakovic guessed right that Messi would go down his left but his dive was in vain as the Argentine’s soft shot flew high into the net to put his side 1-0 up in the 34th minute.
It was Messi’s fifth goal of the tournament, making him joint-top scorer with Frenchman Kylian Mbappe. His 11th career goal in a record 25th World Cup appearance also saw him beat Gabriel Batistuta as Argentina’s all-time top scorer in the World Cup.
Five minutes later, Argentina doubled their lead when, after a break from a corner, Alvarez collected the ball in his own half and started a long dribble towards goal.
Croatian coach Zlatko Dalic responded with a double substitution at the break, introducing Nikola Vlasic and Mislav Orsic, and five minutes later he launched striker Bruno Petkovic.
Messi saved his best for last, tormenting Josko Gvardial on the right before leaving the 20-year-old defender behind and returning the ball to Alvarez who coolly stormed home.
Croatia was over, but it was clear Argentina and Messi were reaching their peak just in time for the biggest game of their lives.
Argentina are in the hunt for their third World Cup title, and first since 1986, with a rejuvenated Messi at the helm of their pursuit.
“Personally I’m very happy, I appreciate it a lot and I’m happy to be able to help my team to make things happen. The first game was a blow. For us to start in this way was difficult, we didn’t think not losing to Saudi Arabia was a test but we proved how strong we are,” said Messi, whose side started their campaign with a shock 2-1 loss to Saudi Arabia.
“It was very difficult because every game was a final for us. We were aware that if we didn’t win it would be more complicated,” Messi said.
Argentina will face either France or Morocco in the final on Sunday.
(With agency contributions)
