Messi, Di Maria… Welcome to Rosario, Argentina’s champion factory
Argentina play Croatia in the first semi-final of the World Cup in Qatar tonight as captain Lionel Messi looks to emulate his hero, and national icon, Diego Maradona by finally lifting the most prestigious trophy in men’s football.
This Argentina team are out to win their nation’s third world title, with captain Messi only having one major gap on his glittering career CV. The Paris Saint-Germain forward was a World Cup runner-up in 2014, with Croatia – led by captain and star player Luka Modric – suffering the same fate four years ago.
This year, Argentina have endured a rollercoaster World Cup, as an early shock defeat to Saudi Arabia looked to have blown their chance of glory. However, they bounced back to qualify for the last 16, where they edged past Australia before surviving a storming Netherlands comeback to win a dramatic and bad-tempered quarter-final on penalties in perhaps the match of the tournament so far.
Meanwhile, Croatia knocked out tournament favourites Brazil in a shootout in the last round and that came after they had already got past another much-fancied outfit, Belgium, in the group stage and endured a last-16 penalty shootout against Japan. The winners of this tie will face defending champions France or underdogs Morocco in Sunday’s final.
Follow all the action with our live blog below:
Argentina 2-0 Croatia
61 mins: Close! Croatia win a free kick over on the left-hand touchline. The ball gets whipped into the box and almost falls perfectly to Dejan Lovran but Emi Martinez manages to get a touch on the ball to take it away from him and Argentina work it clear.
Michael Jones13 December 2022 20:23
Argentina 2-0 Croatia
58 mins: Chance! Lovely play from Argentina sees the ball come up to Messi who swivels towards goal and slides the ball to Enzo Fernandez on the edge of the box.
Messi makes a free run into the left side of the box, collects the return pass and shoots whilst holding off Dejan Lovren. The Argentina captain nails his shot but Dominik Livakovic covers the near post and forces it wide.
Michael Jones13 December 2022 20:21
Argentina 2-0 Croatia
55 mins: Messi hasn’t seemed too bothered by his hamstring since the game restarted in the second half although he hasn’t had a great deal to do in these 10 minutes.
Alexis MacAllister stops a Croatian attack and sends Julian Alvarez sprinting away on the counter-attack. The Argentinian forward bombs down the left side of the pitch before squaring a pass into Enzo Fernandez.
He tries to roll the ball onto his right foot but Josko Gvardiol gets back in time to nick the ball away.
Michael Jones13 December 2022 20:17
Argentina 2-0 Croatia
52 mins: This is a significant change from Zlatko Dalic who hooks off Marcelo Brozovic to introduce Bruno Petkovic. That’s a midfielder off and a forward on. Croatia have to get more possession in Argentina’s final third.
Michael Jones13 December 2022 20:12
Argentina 2-0 Croatia
50 mins: Chance! Good pressure from Argentina. Lionel Messi, Julian Alvarez and Alexis MacAllister press Croatia high up the pitch and keep the ball on the edge of the box.
MacAllister wins it back and is taken out as the ball rolls over to Leandro Paredes. He smokes a first time shot from range which travels low and bounces just before Dominik Livakovic who smothers the ball.
Michael Jones13 December 2022 20:10
Argentina 2-0 Croatia
48 mins: Now then. Croatia win a free kick just outside the penalty area over to the right. Luka Modric is standing over it and will deliver a cross into the box.
He flicks the ball towards the six-yard area but Emi Martinez is quickly off his line and plucks the ball out of the air.
Michael Jones13 December 2022 20:07
Second half: Argentina 2-0 Croatia
Croatia have made a couple of changes at the break. Mislav Orsic and Nikola Vlasic are brought on to replace Borna Sosa and Mario Pasalic.
Lionel Messi kicks off the second half.
Michael Jones13 December 2022 20:06
HT Argentina 2-0 Croatia
Lionel Messi has now scored 11 goals at the World Cup, the most of any Argentina player in the competition’s history. Since the 1966 edition, no player has scored or assisted in more different World Cup matches than Messi (13) – level with Brazil’s Ronaldo.
Michael Jones13 December 2022 20:00
HT Argentina 2-0 Croatia
Lawrence Ostlere at the Lusail Stadium:
That would have been a perfect half for Argentina, but there was one slight cloud: Messi repeatedly reached for his hamstring when the ball was out of play, seemingly grimacing.
He finished the half in full flight, however, dribbling at the Croatian defence and drawing a foul as the whistle blew, so let’s hope he is OK to continue.
It is a little early to be looking ahead, but if Argentina progress Messi would have four days to get himself right for a second attempt at the biggest game of his life.
Lawrence Ostlere13 December 2022 19:57
HT Argentina 2-0 Croatia
A Lionel Messi penalty and a fortunate run from Julian Alvarez have put Argentina in firm control of this semi-final. They squandered a two goal lead against the Netherlands last time out so won’t want to repeat that tonight.
It’s going to be very tough for Croatia to gt back into this one.
Michael Jones13 December 2022 19:54
Kaynak: briturkish.com