Messi and Alvarez knock Croatia down, Argentina is in the final: 3-0
La Pulce scores a penalty and makes a fabulous assist, the striker who stole the place from Lautaro Martinez scores twice. Modric and his companions raise the white flag
Argentina is the first finalist of the soccer World Cup . Albiceleste beat Croatia 3-0 at the Lusail Stadium: Messi scored from a penalty in the 34th minute, Alvarez braced in the 39th and 69th minutes .
In the first half hour the teams are very closed: Croatia plays the game but there are no jolts, only a shot from outside Fernandez easily saved by Livakovic.
Argentina plays cat and mouse and exploits the mistakes of a defense, the Croatian one, so far impeccable. Only coach Dalic knows if it's the fault of Gvardiol who goes up to make the offside or of Lovren who doesn't follow him, the fact is that a central hole is created in which Alverez slips like a butter knife. The attacker comes face to face with Livakovic and is knocked down. Messi goes from the spot, impeccable, for the Argentine lead .
5 minutes go by and Argentina starts again on the counterattack: it's a three against three but Alvarez does it all by himself and, helped by two lucky rebounds, finds himself a stone's throw from the goal where he can only score a double . Albiceleste close to three of a kind in the 43rd minute, on a corner by Mac Allister and a great save by Livakovic.
Double Croatian change at the start of the second half, Orsic and Vlasic for Sosa and Pasalic. Immediately afterwards Petkovic also enters for Brozovic, the coach wants to strengthen the attack but there is little to be done against this Leo Messi .
The Albiceleste captain still hurts: first his shot was neutralized by Livakovic, then he took the ball on the right, drank Gvardiol and served Alvarez a chocolate that was only pushed into the net , making Lele Adani exalt who in an excess of euphoria he yells "dribble even camels". Two goals for the new owner of the Albiceleste attack, who stole the place from Lautaro Martinez, and the game was over, with Scaloni conceding the first few minutes of this World Cup to Paulo Dybala.
Argentina awaits the winner of the match between France and Morocco in the final (Sunday at 4 pm) . The Croatians can console themselves on Saturday with the final for third place.
(Unioneonline/L)
