00:54  ,  December 14, 2022

World Cup: Argentina are in final thanks to Messi, Alvarez goals

Copa America winners Argentina and 2018 FIFA World Cup silver medalists Croatia faced each other in the first semifinal match at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Argentina won 3-0 and reached the final.

Croatia will play for bronze medals.

Argentina’s first goal came by way of their captain and PSG star striker Lionel Messi, 35, and Manchester City forward Julian Alvarez, 22, netted their next two goals.

Messi scored his eleventh goal for Argentina in World Cups and surpassed the now previous record holder, Argentina football legend Gabriel Batistuta (10 goals).

In the race for the top scorer of the current World Cup, Messi equaled reigning World Cup champions France and PSG star forward Kylian Mbappe, 23, with 5 goals.

Messi made his 25th appearance for Argentina, and repeating the record of the German football legend Lothar Matthaus.

In the 2022 World Cup final, Argentina will face with the winner of Wednesday’s semifinal clash between France and Morocco. 

The national teams that lost in the semifinals will face each other in the bronze medal match on Saturday.

The 2022 World Cup final will be played on Sunday.

Two-time World Cup winners Argentina will be making their first appearance in the final after losing 0-1 to Germany in the 2014 World Cup.

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