Argentina's magical duo of Lionel Messi and Julian Alvarez fired the South American giants to the Qatar World Cup 2022 finals with a 3-0 victory over 2018 runners-up Croatia at the Lusail Stadium on Wednesday.
Lionel Messi's dream to win the World Cup is just one game away after Argentina registered an emphatic 3-0 win over 2018 runners-up Croatia at the Qatar World Cup 2022 semi-finals on Wednesday. A packed Lusail Stadium in Doha witnessed a historic win as the 35-year-old magician came to the party along with sensational striker Julian Alvarez, whose brace sealed La Albiceleste's berth for the December 18 final. Argentina will take on the winner of the France vs Morocco semi-finals.
๐ฆ๐ทAn absolutely brilliant assist from Lionel Messi to set up Alvarezโs 4th World Cup goal.
๐Lionel Messi has now provided his;
๐
ฐ๏ธ 8th assist
๐
ฐ๏ธ 53rd assist for Argentina
๐
ฐ๏ธ 30th assist in 2022
๐
ฐ๏ธ 350th senior career assist|| pic.twitter.com/iTta6fYlpW
During Wednesday's semi-final clash, Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livakovi brought Julian Alvarez to the ground in the area, resulting in a penalty that Messi converted into the top corner to give his nation the lead after 33 minutes.
After becoming the showpiece tournament's all-time record appearance maker (tied with Lothar Matthaus with 25 games), the Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) star slammed home a penalty to become Argentina's record goalscorer in the tournament with 11 goals.
Six minutes later, Alvarez doubled the lead by advancing into the box following a quick Argentina counterattack, watching the ball rebound back into his path, and then tapping the ball home from eight yards out.
As Alexis MacAllister's close-range header came toward the goal, Livakovic needed to be alert to make an instinctual stop to deny the opposition as Lionel Scaloni's team began to turn the tables on them.
In the second half, Messi produced a stunning assist to help seal Argentina's berth in the finals after turning Joลกko Gvardiol inside-out on the byline before laying the ball into the path of รlvarez to slide into the bottom corner to make it three.
Classic Messi Move ๐ฅ
The little ๐งโโ๏ธ tip-toes past the defence to set up an easy finish for Julian Alvarez ๐
Watch โก LIVE on & ๐ฒ๐บ pic.twitter.com/kMWpzRUQdB
Argentina fans took to Twitter to express their joy at seeing their favourite team reach the finals of the Qatar World Cup 2022, with most supporters cheering the incredible duo of Messi and Alvarez.
"All eyes are on Messi, but what a tournament for the 22-year-old Julian Alvarez from Calchin! Got fouled & Messi converted the penalty & scored the second vs Croatia. 3 goals so far at this World Cup for the little spider who just 10 years ago was asking Messi for a selfie," noted one Argentina enthusiast on Twitter.
Another fan stated, "4 World Cup goals for Julian Alvarez so far, only Messi and Mbappe with more. Those are elite numbers but looking at it alone almost still does a disservice to his completeness. Argentina's tournament changed post-Alvarez introduction."
"From 2012 to 2022. Julian Alvarez and Lionel Messi. Stuff of dreams!" stated a third fan.
Here's a look at the reactions after Argentina book their finals berth at the Qatar World Cup 2022:
All eyes are on Messi but what a tournament for the 22-year old Julian Alvarez from Calchin! Got fouled & Messi converted the penalty & he scored the second vs Croatia.
3 goals so far at this World Cup for the little spider who just 10 years ago was asking Messi for a selfie. pic.twitter.com/WVZPwvlECL
Messi and Julian Alvarez pic.twitter.com/kf8pr5GZvn
โ Men in Blazers (@MenInBlazers)4 World Cup goals for Julian Alvarez so far, only Messi and Mbappe with more. Those are elite numbers but looking at it alone almost still does a disservice to his completeness.
Argentina's tournament changed post-Alvarez introduction. pic.twitter.com/lRcV6m2Jrm
From 2012 to 2022. Julian Alvarez and Lionel Messi. Stuff of dreams! pic.twitter.com/akTpnvrn50
โ Subhayan Chakraborty (@CricSubhayan)Forgetting Messi for a second.
Alvarez is great, and for now he's just a backup for Man City for the most part.
Madness.
Lionel GOAT Messi and Julian Alvarez ๐ pic.twitter.com/pnAdTqz1js
โ Busani Mtalana ๎จ (@busani_mtalana)messi to alvarez this match pic.twitter.com/5mOXwL24fr
โ ๐ฉ๐พโ๐ป (@isirspov)Julian Alvarez is actually carrying Argentina, alongside Lionel Messi, to the World Cup-trophy isnโt he pic.twitter.com/Plwxi0behh
โ Real Talk Manchester City (@RealTalkMCFC)Things came full circle for Juliรกn รlvarez ๐
โWhatโs your dream in football?โ
โPlay in a World Cup.โ
โWhoโs your idol?โ
โMessi.โ
๐ฅ: pic.twitter.com/kosGLtfj9W
Well played Argentina . While Messi and Alvarez are the headliners there is much to admire in the way that they defend. Very well organised and they scrap like hell๐ฆ๐ท๐๐. Croatia ๐ญ๐ท have had a good tournament. Sad to see Modric bow out probably but maybe a game too far for them!
โ Chris Sutton (@chris_sutton73)J Alvarez 10years ago then today with . This is really inspirational. More things to learn from here. pic.twitter.com/FAKzMdowcm
โ Gatabazi Jean Marie Vianney (@gatjmv)Messi and Alvarez taking Argentina to the finals pic.twitter.com/P2f5NSHndS
โ utd.von (@dopekid876)DUO๐ฅ https://t.co/pvxoHjlkUM
โ v (@ehhveg)Julian Alvarez is the best thing to happen to Leo Messi on the international stage. What a player.
โ Z (@zeeshanxz)Lionel Messi watching Julian Alvarez do magic with him on the pitch for Argentina pic.twitter.com/UhumTeY7n5
โ Kojo Darko๐ฌ๐ญ (@kojodarkoo)Messi used to pull up at World cup and Copa America finals with Higuan and Armani๐ญ.
Julian Alvarez!!! A gift from heaven pic.twitter.com/0pSlRfBakv