LUSAIL, Qatar (AP) - Lionel Messi is back in the World Cup final with Argentina on his mission to win soccer's biggest prize for the first time.
And, at 35, he could hardly be playing any better.
Messi converted a penalty and had a hand in the other two goals by Julian Alvarez, leading Argentina to a 3-0 win over Croatia on Tuesday that set up a meeting with either France or Morocco in Sunday's title match.
It will be Messi's second World Cup final - Argentina lost the other one to Germany in 2014 - in what might be his last appearance at the tournament.
It could yet be the perfect way to go out for a player widely regarded as one of the game's best players, if not the best.
“A lot is going through my head - it's very emotional seeing all of this,” Messi said in a post-match interview on the field as he looked up at Argentina's celebrating, scarf-waving supporters. “To see the fans - `the family' - during the whole tournament was so incredible. We're going to the final, which is what we wanted.”
Messi is thrilling his legion of fans along the way, with his swivel and driving run to set up the third goal for Alvarez in the 69th minute epitomizing his confidence and swagger. He is embracing the responsibility of leading Argentina to its third World Cup title, scoring in five of his six games in Qatar.
He even had a penalty saved in the game in which he didn't score.
Croatia failed in its bid to reach a second straight World Cup final after conceding two goals in a five-minute span from the 34th, just when the team was looking comfortable at Lusail Stadium.
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni was in tears after the final whistle, even though the celebrations in general were much calmer than after previous games. Messi was in the middle of them all as he continues perhaps his best ever World Cup.
Yet there was a moment midway through the first half that must have struck fear into all Argentines, when Messi appeared clutch his left hamstring and rub it.
Was Argentina's superstar going to have to come off? No such luck for Croatia.
Messi was soon toying with his opponents in a way only he can and put Argentina ahead by lifting his penalty into the top corner after Alvarez was taken out by Dominik Livakovic after clipping the ball past Croatia's goalkeeper.
Alvarez poked home his first goal at the end of a surging run from halfway, starting with Messi's short pass. He put in the third following more outrageous skill from his teammate near the right corner that left Josko Gvardiol - one of the best defenders at the World Cup - grasping at thin air.
It was one game too far for Croatia, which had beaten Japan and Brazil on penalties in the knockout stage, and star midfielder Luka Modric, who - at 37 - has likely played his final World Cup match.
Summing up a frustrating game for the little midfield magician, he was substituted in the 81st minute and had a bright red nose after the ball slammed in his face moments earlier.
Argentina maintained its record of never having lost in the World Cup semifinals and has reached the final for the sixth time.
Those dark days after losing to Saudi Arabia in its opening group match seem so long ago now for Argentina, which will be hard to stop in the final with Messi playing this well.
“Even though we lost our first match, we were confident that this group was going to push forward,” Messi said. “We know what we are, and we called on the fans to believe in us.”
MESSI RECORDS
Messi became Argentina's record scorer at World Cups with his third penalty of the tournament taking him to 11 goals in total - one more than Gabriel Batistuta. He also tied the record for most appearances at the World Cup by playing for the 25th time, the same number as Lothar Matthäus of Germany.
ALVAREZ
The 22-year-old Alvarez didn't start the tournament as Argentina's striker. He only took the place of Lautaro Martinez in the third group game and now has four goals, one behind Messi and Mbappe. He is the youngest player to score twice in a World Cup semifinal match since a 17-year-old Pele scored a hat trick in 1958.
FAQs
In 2022, he led Argentina to win the 2022 FIFA World Cup, where he won a record second Golden Ball, scored seven goals including two in the final, and broke the record for most games played at the World Cup (26), later receiving his record-extending eighth Ballon d'Or in 2023.
Has Messi ever reached World Cup final? ›
In 2022, he led Argentina to win the 2022 FIFA World Cup, where he won a record second Golden Ball, scored seven goals including two in the final, and broke the record for most games played at the World Cup (26), later receiving his record-extending eighth Ballon d'Or in 2023.
Was Messi's dream to win the World Cup? ›
Messi said he was fortunate to be so beloved at Barcelona and it was his biggest dream to win the World Cup.
What was the score between Argentina and Croatia Messi? ›
Messi, Argentina beat Croatia 3-0 to reach World Cup final
— Lionel Messi bent over, clutched his left hamstring and appeared to grimace, immediately spreading panic through the soccer world but especially among all Argentines.
How many times did Argentina reach the World Cup final? ›
Since their inception in 1902, the Argentina national team has appeared in six FIFA World Cup finals, including the inaugural final in 1930, 1978 (when the team won its first World Cup beating the Netherlands), the 1986 (winning its second World Cup after defeating West Germany), 1990, 2014, and the 2022 (when the team ...
Is Messi better than Ronaldo? ›
Argentina star Messi has scored 106 goals in 178 international appearances – both all-time records for his nation. With 127 goals in 203 games for Portugal, Ronaldo holds both the all-time men's records for international appearances and goals.
How many World Cups has Messi gone? ›
Messi is one of only six men to have played in five World Cups alongside Antonio Carbajal, Lothar Matthaus, Rafa Marquez, Andres Guardado and Cristiano Ronaldo.
How good was Messi at the World Cup? ›
Except when it is. At 35 years old, in his fifth tournament, Messi had his best ever performance in a World Cup. He scored in every stage, becoming the first player to ever do so. In the final he scored a brace, putting Argentina up before Mbappe refused to allow France to lose.
Did Messi score in every World Cup game? ›
Messi becomes the first player to score in every round of the FIFA World Cup. With a goal in the Final, Lionel Messi becomes the first player to ever score in the group stage, the Round of 16, quarter-final, semi-final and the Final itself in FIFA World Cup™ history.
What were Messi's struggles? ›
Lionel Messi's journey to soccer stardom wasn't without hurdles. Diagnosed with growth hormone deficiency as a child, he faced the adversity of daily injections. Despite the obstacles, Messi's determination and passion for the sport pushed him forward.
Kashef favours two-time World Cup champions Argentina for the win today, giving the team a 61 percent chance of dashing Luka Modric's team's hopes of reaching the final once again. Argentina's win is not a foregone conclusion, however.
How many times Argentina played against Croatia? ›
The sides have met each other five times since 1994, including three friendlies, with the two rivals winning one apiece and another finishing in a goalless draw. The matches have been high-scoring affairs, with Croatia enjoying the lion's share with seven goals and Argentina sending five into the back of the net.
How much did Messi score for Argentina? ›
Messi career goals in total for club and country
| Team | Games | Goals |
|---|
| Barcelona | 778 | 672 |
| PSG | 75 | 32 |
| Inter Miami | 25 | 23 |
| Argentina | 180 | 106 |
1 more rowMay 5, 2024
Argentina is one of the most successful teams in the tournament's history, having won three World Cups: in 1978, 1986, and 2022. Argentina has also been runner-up three times: in 1930, 1990 and 2014. In 18 World Cup tournaments, Argentina has 47 victories in 88 matches.
Who defeated Argentina by 11 goals? ›
Argentina slumped to a humiliating 11-0 loss to Germany in the opening match of the women's World Cup on Monday, the worst defeat in the tournament's history.
What is Argentina's biggest defeat? ›
The defeat was the joint-largest for Argentina in their history, with the South American side also having suffered 6-1 losses at the hands of Czechoslovakia at the 1958 World Cup and Bolivia during qualifying for the 2010 World Cup. Argentina also suffered a 5-0 loss to Colombia in 1993.
How many times has Messi gone to the finals? ›
As mentioned, Messi has played in a total of 41 finals for Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain in Argentina, notably also being forced to sit out 2005-06 Champions League final due to injury (although he did receive a winner's medal because of his participation in the competition).
How many times did Ronaldo play the World Cup final? ›
Cristiano Ronaldo has played in a World Cup semifinal, but he has never reached the final itself.
Has Messi ever lifted the World Cup? ›
One year ago today, Lionel Messi finally lifted the World Cup after experiencing heartbreak with Argentina in the previous four editions of the quadrennial tournament.
How old was Messi when he won the World Cup? ›
"I think the World Cup in South Africa for Leo was another step on the ladder that has ended with him establishing himself as one of the best of all time, but he was very young still, he was just 23. He didn't have enough experience then, just like Maradona at the same age at the 1982 World Cup.
