It was a full of life last-four encounter on the Lusail Stadium, with either side wanting to take one other step in direction of World Cup glory.
Neither facet was in a position to carve out any actual clear-cut probabilities within the opening half-hour, although, with Enzo Fernandez coming the closest after his long-range strike compelled an amazing save from Croatia’s Dominik Livakovic.
Simply moments later, the South People have been awarded a penalty. Alvarez discovered himself in behind the defence, earlier than colliding with shot-stopper Livakovic, leaving the referee no selection however to level to the spot and e book the goalkeeper.
As has been the case already in Qatar, up stepped captain Messi. The Argentina no.10 thumped his spot-kick into the highest nook, giving Livakovic no probability, regardless of him guessing the precise method.
