MESSI powers Argentina into final

14/12/2022

13 December 2022, Qatar, Lusail: Argentina's Lionel Messi celebrates his side's third goal during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 semi final soccer match between Argentina and Croatia at the Lusail Stadium. Photo: Nick Potts/PA Wire/dpa

Argentina's forward #10 Lionel Messi celebrates with Argentina's midfielder #05 Leandro Paredes after defeating Croatia 3-0 in the Qatar 2022 World Cup football semi-final match between Argentina and Croatia at Lusail Stadium in Lusail, north of Doha on December 13, 2022. (Photo by JUAN MABROMATA / AFP)

13 December 2022, Qatar, Lusail: Argentina players celebrate their side's first goal during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 semi final soccer match between Argentina and Croatia at the Lusail Stadium. Photo: Tom Weller/dpa

Argentina's forward #10 Lionel Messi celebrates at the end of during the Qatar 2022 World Cup football semi-final match between Argentina and Croatia at Lusail Stadium in Lusail, north of Doha on December 13, 2022. (Photo by Kirill KUDRYAVTSEV / AFP)

Argentina's players celebrate at the end of the Qatar 2022 World Cup football semi-final match between Argentina and Croatia at Lusail Stadium in Lusail, north of Doha on December 13, 2022. (Photo by Kirill KUDRYAVTSEV / AFP)

Argentina players celebrate with their supporters after they won the Qatar 2022 World Cup football semi-final match between Argentina and Croatia at Lusail Stadium in Lusail, north of Doha on December 13, 2022. (Photo by Giuseppe CACACE / AFP)

Argentina's forward #10 Lionel Messi celebrates after defeating Croatia 3-0 in the Qatar 2022 World Cup football semi-final match between Argentina and Croatia at Lusail Stadium in Lusail, north of Doha on December 13, 2022. (Photo by JUAN MABROMATA / AFP)

TOPSHOT - Argentina's forward #10 Lionel Messi celebrates scoring his team's first goal from the penalty spot during the Qatar 2022 World Cup football semi-final match between Argentina and Croatia at Lusail Stadium in Lusail, north of Doha on December 13, 2022. (Photo by JUAN MABROMATA / AFP)

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Qatar tribune

Mesmerising Lionel Messi simply produced magic, while Julian Alvarez provided the spark as Argentina left their fans spellbound marching into the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 final with a resounding 3-0 win over Croatia at the Lusail Stadium on Tuesday. A capacity crowd of 88,966, with the exception of a sparse Croatia support, was treated to delightful football by Argentina as the side kept Messi’s dream alive taking a commanding step closer to the World Cup trophy. There were fears when Messi stretched and clutched the top of his left hamstring 19 minutes into the match. But the iconic number 10, recovered after a spell at walking pace, as if miraculously, to inspire Argentina to stay in the hunt of a third World Cup triumph. Such was the dominating show of Argentina that Croatia were simply swept off their feet.

— Vinay NayuduSports page 1

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14/12/2022