Manchester City striker Julian Alvarez’s double has put Argentina in the final of the 2022 FIFA world cup after thumping Croatia 3-0 in the first semifinal in Qatar today.
Argentina’s master and pupil Lionel Messi broke the deadlock from the penalty spot after 34 minutes following Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic’s foul on Alvarez.
Four minutes later, Alvarez doubled Argentina’s lead when he took Messi’s header just inside Croatian territory and embarked on a slaloming run, aided by fortunate bounces off Josip Juranovic and Borna Sosa, before beating Livakovic.
Croatia tried to make a comeback in the match despite having a 61 per cent possession but they lacked targeting in their shot standing at 2 per cent.
Alvarez ensured that Argentina secured the semifinal victory with a third goal in the second half following a wonderful Messi assist in the 69th minute to seal the win.
Messi will now have the opportunity to make amends for the bitter disappointment of losing the 2014 World Cup final to Germany in Rio’s iconic Maracana.
Argentina now reaches their sixth World Cup final while Messi now gets one last chance to win the piece of silverware that has eluded him in his trophy-laden career.
Argentina will face the winner between France and Morocco in the final on Sunday while Croatia will play in the third and fourth play-off on Saturday.
