Sports
Messi Sets New Records As Argentina Beat Croatia To Qualify For World Cup Final
By GWG Football Editor
Argentina secured its first qualification for the World Cup finals since 2014 on Tuesday night when a Lionel Messi inspired team overwhelmed Croatia by 3-0.
A brace from Julio Alvarez in the 39th and 69th minutes at the semi-finals and a successful penalty by Messi were what it required to silence Croatia.
GWG.ng reports that the penalty goal by Messi brought his total goals in the tournament to five and his total goals in the World Cup to 11 and with it setting an Argentine record that beat the 10 goal record held by Gabriel Batitusta.
Messi now gets one last chance to win the piece of silverware that has eluded him in his trophy-laden career but Manchester City’s 22-year-old striker Alvarez claimed at least an equal share of top billing as Argentina ensured they will return here on Sunday to face either France or Morocco.
Argentina’s little genius looked to be struggling with a hamstring problem early on but recovered enough to break the deadlock from the penalty spot after 34 minutes following Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic’s foul on the marauding Alvarez.
Alvarez doubled Argentina’s lead five minutes later 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.
There was no fortune involved in a brilliant third after the break as Messi mesmerised Croatia’s excellent defender Josko Gvardiol on the sideline before playing in Alvarez for the finish.
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.
Besides, Messi became the first player since 1966 to score and provide assists in three successive World Cups.
GWG.ng reports that the penalty goal by Messi brought his total goals in the tournament to five and his total goals in the World Cup to 11 and with it setting an Argentine record that beat the 10 goal record held by Gabriel Batitusta.
Besides, the match between Argentina and Croatia made it that Messi became the first player since 1966 to score and provide assists in three successive World Cups finals.
With additional reports from BBC Sports
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