Lionel Messi scored a penalty and offered a beautiful help for Julian Alvarez, who bagged a brace, as Argentina beat Croatia 3-0 to advance to the World Cup remaining.
The PSG ahead captained Argentina in opposition to the 2018 runners-up as they tried to succeed in the World Cup remaining for a sixth time at Lusail Stadium.
Argentina beat Netherlands on penalties to arrange a last-four encounter in opposition to Zlatko Dalic’s facet, who additionally progressed from the quarter-finals with a shoot-out win as they noticed off Brazil.
Croatia named the identical facet that began that sport, whereas Argentina made two modifications with Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez changed by Leandro Paredes as Lionel Scaloni reverted to a again 4.
Nicolas Tagliafico additionally got here into the beginning XI to interchange Marcos Acuna, who was suspended.
Argentina had been awarded a penalty after the only of balls excessive of their defence picked out Julian Alvarez.
The Manchester Metropolis ahead burst into the field and was clattered by Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic after getting his shot away.
Referee Daniele Orsato pointed to the spot, reserving Livakovic for the problem, with Messi making no mistake from the spot to place Argentina forward.
Croatia assistant coach Mario Mandzukic was despatched off for his protestations on the award of the spot-kick earlier than issues received even higher for Argentina.
The lead was doubled by Alvarez, who collected the ball inside his personal half and charged ahead, benefitting from a few deflections and weak defending to coolly make it 2-0.
With Croatia rocked, Livakovic saved them within the contest with a nice cease from an Alexis Mac Allister effort three minutes earlier than the break.
The tie was all however settled with 22 minutes remaining as Alvarez struck for a second time.
Initially flicking the ball onto Messi, Alvarez continued his run into the field and – after the skipper had brilliantly danced previous Josko Gvardiol to create the prospect – was readily available to make it 3-0.
Extra to observe…
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