Lionel Messi produced another man-of-the-match performance for Argentina as they beat Croatia 3-0.
The semi-final match at the Lusail Stadium saw Argentina reach its sixth World Cup final. It is their first since 2014.
Lionel Messi scored a penalty and Julian Alvarez struck a sensational brace to ease past Croatia.
Croatia dominated the early stages of the match until Argentina was awarded a penalty.
Julian Alvarez had been taken out by keeper Dominik Livakovic in what looked like a clash.
Messi stepped up and lashed the penalty into the top corner in the 34th minute.
His goal makes him Argentina’s all-time top scorer in the Word Cup with 11 goals.
Messi, looking to win the World Cup for the first time in his fifth attempt at what might be his final appearance.
Argentina doubled their lead in the 39th minute through Manchester City’s Julian Alvarez.
Alvarez galloped from his own half, juggling the ball beyond Croatian defenders before poking home.
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At the start of the second half, Dejan Lovren had the chance to pull one back but could not convert with a close-range header.
Argentina scored a third goal 69 minutes by Alvarez after another magical display by Messi.
Messi produced the moment of the match, beating talented center-back Josko Gvardiol on three separate occasions before pulling it back for Alvarez to score again.
Lionel Messi will now captain Argentina against France or Morocco in Sunday’s final.
Argentina looks to become world champions for the first time since the Maradona-inspired campaign of 1986, and the third time overall.
