Alvarez and Messi’s five display send Argentina to World Cup final 

Argentina have progressed to the 2022 FIFA World Cup final after defeating Croatia 3-0 at the Lusail Stadium on Tuesday night. 

Lionel Messi and Julian Alvarez registered their names on the scoresheet in the first semifinal clash in Qatar.

Messi’s goal was enough for him to become Argentina’s all-time leading World Cup goalscorer with 11 goals.

On the other hand, Alvarez started the game like a house on fire and scored a brace to help Argentina put the game to bed.

Before Croatia’s encounter, Argentina had last reached the World Cup final in 2014, where they lost to Germany.

Meanwhile, Croatia were looking to reach the prestigious tournament final for the second time in a row.

MESSI AND ALVAREZ SHINE

The Argentine side looked bright in the early stages of the showpiece as they wanted to break the deadlock, but they were unable to find a breakthrough against the resilient Croatia backline.

However, Argentina managed to break the deadlock in the 34th minute through Messi who scored from a spot kick, which was won by Alvarez.

It was Messi’s fifth goal of the 2022 World Cup, which makes him joint top scorer with PSG teammate Kylian Mbappé of France.

Just five minutes after the restart Alvarez added to the scoreline to make it 2-0.

The showdown went into the interval with Croatia trialling behind by 2-0.

Back out for the last 45 minutes, Argentina continued where they had left off as they started the second stanza on a high keeping their opponents in their own half. 

Croatia tried to pull one back, but luck was not on their side.

In the 69th minute of the game, Alvarez put the last nail in the coffin when he scored the third goal for his nation with Messi providing the assist.

Croatia needed something to lift the tension but failed as they got discouraged by the third goal. 

In the end, it was Argentina who progressed to the finals of the tournament where they will face either Morocco or the defending champions France. 

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