Qatar 2022: Argentina outclass Croatia to storm into final

A dominant Argentina beat Croatia 3-0 to advance to the final of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, with skipper Lionel Messi scoring from a penalty and Julian Alvarez scoring a brace.

The Europeans simply had no response to the precise and passionate display by the South Americans. Messi was magical once more as he carried the team at times and he now has to be the favourite to win the golden ball. He set up Alvarez for the third goal after the latter's hard work had earlier given him the game's second goal. Messi is now Argentina's leading goalscorer in the history of the tournament, with 11 goals, beating Gabriel Batistuta, who scored 10.

Argentina even managed to give minutes to its squad players, like Paulo Dybala. Croatia can have no complaints after registering only two shots on target in the entire game.

Argentine coach Lionel Scaloni went for a tactical switch against a highly technical Croatian midfield. He opted for a narrow four-man midfield to stifle Croatia's gifted midfield trio. But, it did not seem to be working as Luka Modric, Mateo Kovacic and Marcelo Brozovic played through the Argentine midfield with apparent ease. But, the Europeans could not fashion a clear chance.

Croatia had the first shot of the game from a corner. But, the headed effort from centre-back Dejan Lovren was high and wide. Argentina, who opted for a more counterattacking approach, had the first shot on target through a bouncing Enzo Fernandez effort from just outside the box that forced a save from Croatian goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic.

Argentina took the lead in the 34th minute, just as Croatia were settling into their patterns of play. The defence, uncharacteristically, went to sleep as a long ball forward by Fernandez found Alvarez in the middle. He lobbed the ball over the advancing goalkeeper and was then bodychecked by Livakovic. The referee awarded a penalty kick that seemed harsh. But, Alvarez would have been able to get to the ball, which was cleared by Lovren as it rolled towards goal, if he had not been brought down by Livakovic. The keeper was yellow-carded, so was Kovacic for arguing. Messi converted.

The second Argentine goal came in another five minutes, following a Croatian corner. Messi managed to flick the ball forward under pressure from his own half. Alvarez latched on to the loose ball near the halfway line and went on an ambitious run. Two Croatian players tried to clear, unconvincingly, and the ball, fortunately for Argentina, fell back into the path of Alvarez both times. It was poor defending, but Alvarez's persistence and composed finish earned applause from Brazil legend Ronaldinho in the stands.

Croatia ended the half with 54 per cent of the possession, but no clear chance to show for it. The poor defending and the fact that the Argentines just looked hungrier seemed to indicate that this would not be Croatia's day. 

Unsurprisingly, coach Zlatko Dalic made two changes at half-time. Forward Mislav Orsic came on for defender Borna Sosa, who had a poor half, and Nikola Vlasic replaced Mario Pasalic on the right flank. 

The substitution meant that there was a change in shape. But, before anyone could figure out what that was, another change early in the second half saw striker Bruno Petkovic come on for defensive midfielder Brozovic. Though it was assumed that Croatia's midfield workhorse may be injured, his quizzical look indicated otherwise. 

The tactical changes did not seem to be doing Croatia a lot of good early on as Argentina had the better chances. Livakovic had to react fast to narrow the angles as Messi got through the defence towards the right of the goal. Argentina introduced a third centre-back in Lisandro Martinez for midfielder Leandro Paredes in the 61st minute just as Croatia started asking some questions. As soon as the substitution was made, Argentina had some defending to do. But, a good Croatian free-kick came to nothing as Lovren was unable to make good contact.

Until the 68th minute, Croatia had no shot on target to Argentina's six. And they were duly punished for this lack of penetration in the next minute. Croatia's day was summed up when Josko Gvardiol, who, arguably, had been the tournament's best defender, was taken to the cleaners by Messi before he laid the ball on a plate for Alvarez to score his second goal. Croatia registered their first shot on target soon after, but the low free-kick never really troubled Emiliano Martinez in Argentina's goal.

Once the third goal went in, Croatia never looked like getting back into the game. Any opportunity was quickly thwarted by a resolute and sharp Argentine defence. Croatia's passes got rushed and wrong passing choices were made, even by Modric. The Croatian captain was subbed off in the 81st minute in what must surely be his last World Cup appearance. 

In hindsight, taking off Brozovic so early, if it was not forced by injury, was a mistake as Croatia lost balance. It epitomised a night on which Dalic was thoroughly outmanoeuvred by his opposite number.