Lionel Messi and his companions eliminated Croatia from the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, 3-0

Argentina's 3-0 victory over Croatia in the semi-finals Qatar 2022

Lusail, Qatar - Argentina returned to the World Cup final after defeating Croatia 3-0 on Tuesday at the famous Lusail Stadium, with the strongest performance the Albiceleste team has seen since the start of the tournament.

The Argentines didn't need heroic saves from Emiliano Martinez, but they did need another fine performance from Lionel Messi, who fired with a penalty goal, made an assist and teamed up for another attack on the counter-attack.

After the victory, Argentina became the first to qualify for the Qatar 2022 final and expects the exit of a competitor between France and Morocco, which will be held on Wednesday. Argentina returns to the World Cup final when it fell to Germany in Brazil 2014.

Tuesday's meeting was the third between them in the World Cup, and they entered a record with one victory for each team. In France 1998, the Argentine national team narrowly defeated Croatia in the group stage and in Russia 2018, they were crushed by Croatia 3-0 with Messi in their team.

Today's duel was of immeasurable value as it saw great players like Messi (35) and Modric (37) reach the World Cup finals.

Argentina opened the scoring in the 35th minute after goalkeeper Dominik Levakovic found it necessary to stop Enzo Fernandez, who was due to score in the encounter, as the referee awarded the maximum penalty kick. Messi was in charge of the set by hitting his right with a force and making it 1-0.

Just six minutes later, Argentina scored the second goal via Julian Alvarez on a counterattack that led four players forward and allowed him, with two rebounds in his favour, to score his team's second goal. It was the 2-0 score that gave the Argentines peace of mind.

And the third came to Messi's masterpiece. The captain of the Argentine national team took the ball from the center of the field and carried the marker with him until he reached the opponent's area. Messi made two dribbles and assisted Alvarez until he pushed it. Al-Jawahiri was ahead by 3-0 in the 69th minute.

With this victory, Argentina awaits its opponent in the "all or nothing" final between France and Morocco, which will take place on Wednesday (10 pm local time).

Match analysis times:

90 + 6 “It's over! Argentina are back in the World Cup Final after beating Croatia 3-0. Thank you for staying with us!

90' The fans celebrate harder and wait for the final whistle... It's only a matter of time, while Croatia is looking for the whistle of honour.

87' Modric, who had very few chances, fired from Al Hilal, but Martínez had no problem catching the ball down below.

82 'Ufff… Croatia were saved from the fourth goal, after a shot from below went way too close to the goalkeeper's right post.

78' Kramaric tried from outside the area, but the shot went out of Martinez's danger area.

69' GOOL from Argentina! Messi controlled the ball from midfield and upon entering the area, gave the pass to Alvarez for his second goal of the night. Messi practically owns this goal. Argentina's 3-0 seems to have settled this.

61 'Ufff .. Argentina saved. After a free kick on the right, the ball bounces back and forth and although Martínez manages to avoid the collision, they miss the chance.

57' Ufff... Argentina are close again. Messi leads the attack with his comings, which leaves him without much space on the left and without much angle. However, he managed to shoot the ball and cover the goalkeeper.

51' Watch the data: Croatia didn't fall behind 2-0 on the scoreboard at halftime in the World Cup.

48 & # 39; Paredes attempts a shot without much force from outside the area. The goalkeeper has no control problem.

46' Croatia were quick in attack and won a free kick down the right flank. Modric charged into the middle of the area, but Martinez came out efficiently and caught the ball.

45' The match resumed.

45 + 4 'The first half is over! Argentina wins 2-0. We'll be back in a few moments.

45' Croatia were approaching from the right and Emiliano Martinez shot them well and narrowed down the space.

41' Ufff... Argentina were close again. McAllister headed in a corner kick and the goalkeeper responded well and avoided the Argentine third.

39' GOOL from Argentina! What a goal from Alvarez! In a deadly counterattack, the striker went four players ahead and allowed a few rebounds in his favor to score his team's second goal.

33' GOOL from Argentina! Messi is powerful with a penalty to his right and Albiceleti is already leading 1-0 against Croatia.

32' Alvarez attacks in the middle and the goalkeeper blocks it. The referee indicates the maximum penalty kick and awards the goalkeeper two yellows. Messi goes to collect.

27' Free kick after a Croatian player falls a few meters outside a large area. Modric collects and nothing happens, the Argentine defense refuses without problems.

26' A shot from outside the area by Fernandez is blocked by the goalkeeper below.

25' Messi went back in search of the ballto. Many did not believe and decided to search for the ball on their own.

21' Messi tried to pass the ball to Alvarez, but it was quickly blocked. Few opportunities are created.

15' Modric constantly changes sides to support attacks and create confusion. Croatia maintained consistent handling of the ball.

14' In an Argentine attack, Messi appeared to be caught outside the large area, but the referee indicated that nothing had happened. Fans blew the whistle against Dean.

10 & # 39; The match does not have a fast pace, as the ball rotates a lot in the middle and Croatia tries to catch the Argentines and then counter-attack them.

6' Argentina try to get to both sides, but they find themselves lined up with five Croatian players trying to avoid attacking Alvarez on the left and Messi on the right.