FIFA World Cup 2022, Semi Finals: Argentina power into finals as Lionel Messi, Julián Álvarez star in semi-finals

Argentina power into finals as Lionel Messi, Julián Álvarez star in semi-finals (Image Source: Twitter)

The FIFA World Cup 2022 kicked off on November 20 between hosts Qatar and Ecuador, making it to be one of the greatest spectacles of all time. As things stand, Argentina and Croatia faced off in the first semi-finals and it turned out to be a cracker of a game as both teams gave it their all on a crucial day. To add more, the La Albiceleste kept thriving and banking on their strengths, while Croatia on the other hand, were up to the mark against a fiery Argentinian camp.

Eventually, both teams kept coming up with chances and created opportunities at frequent intervals. Fans were eagerly awaiting the winner of the semi-final clash given that it would mean so much for them if their country makes a cut to the finals. At the 15-minute mark into the first, it was the Croatian team who held possession and refrained Argentina from taking an early lead.

Messi and his men, on the other hand, tried all that they can and eventually failed to take the lead in the initial minutes. Eventually, the Argentinian skipper Messi bounced back and capitalized on a penalty in the 34th minute to open the account for his team. When the least expected, Julián Álvarez doubled the lead in the 39th minute and the La Albiceleste looked on course for a mighty win and finished the first half with a scoreline of 2-0. 

Argentina, Croatia fight hard for final berth in FIFA World Cup 2022

It was an epic match between the two sides as they give it their all to keep creating opportunities. While the La Abiceleste dominated the second half as well, Croatia managed to show intent and eventually created a few opportunities. Eventually, at the 55-minute mark, the scoreline remained unchanged and fans hoped that it would be Messi and his men who would make their presence felt in the finals. Álvarez grabbed a brace in the 69th minute and tripled the lead for Argentina, inching them closer to the win.

It was, however, Argentina who won the game with a scoreline of 3-0 and this comes on the back of their stupendous run in the ongoing FIFA World Cup 2022. Even though one could argue that there were a few referees who were not up to the mark in the entire tournament, which eventually backfired many times, they had no other choice but to bow out of the tournament.