Record-breaking Messi leads Argentina to World Cup final

Lionel Messi scored one and assisted another as Argentina defeated Croatia 3-0 in their FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 semi-final encounter at the Lusail Stadium on Tuesday night.

The Argentine magician was at his mercurial best as he converted a penalty won by Julian Alvarez who scored twice to give Le Albiceleste a surprisingly easy win over Croatia.

Messi set the ball rolling in the 34th minute when he dispatched a penalty won after Dominik Livakovic, Croatia goalkeeper, obstructed Alvarez when through on goal.

The goal is Messi’s fifth of the World Cup, level with Kylian Mbappe as the leading goalscorers.

Alvarez punished Croatia on the counterattack five minutes later, motoring on from a failed Croatia corner kick before slotting into the net for a comfortable 2-0 lead at the break.

Argentina strolled on and Messi beautifully assisted Alvarez’s second of the night, serving the ball on a plate for the young Manchester City forward to slot home and end the encounter.

Messi is now Argentina’s top World Cup scorer of all time with 11 goals, spanning five different tournaments. He has bettered the record of Gabriel Batistuta who scored 10 goals.

With the win, Argentina will be making its fifth appearance in the World Cup final on December 18.

They will square off with the winner of the second semi-final between France and Morocco.

Photo credit: Reuters