Argentina 3-0 Croatia
FIFA World Cup
Semi-Final
Lusail Iconic Stadium
Attendance: 88,966
1st half
The stakes in this match were high and the favoured Argentinians started the game with a lot of caution. In the first 30 minutes, Croatia was in complete control of the game and Argentina could hardly get close to the goal. Although Croatia had the game under control, there were no noteworthy offensive actions from the vice world champion. The only approach came in the 25th minute when Enzo Fernandez attempted a harmless flick.
The game turned in Argentina’s favor in the 32nd minute. After a steep pass, Alvarez went for Livakovic alone and chipped the ball over the Croatian goalkeeper. The ball was stopped by Gvardiol, but Orsato called the clash between Alvarez and Livakovic as a penalty and didn’t even watch the scene in VAR. The situation is very controversial. Messi then confidently converted the penalty, although Livakovic suspected the corner. Croatia was now completely off the roll and had to recover briefly. In the 30th minute, Alvarez made the preliminary decision.Alvarez was lucky to get past Juranovic and Sosa and was able to put the ball past Livakovic to make it 2-0. Both attempts by the Croatians to defend themselves bounced off Alvarez and directly into his run. Bitter result for Croatia after 45 minutes!
2nd half
In the second half, Dalic took out Sosa and Pasalic from the Croatians and brought in two more offensive forces in Vlasic and Orsic. Shortly thereafter, Petkovic came in for the ailing Brozovic. Croatia wanted to attack and thus opened up a lot of space for counter attacks for the Argentines. Croatia came to several semi-dangerous scenes but lacked determination and a bit of luck. Lovren missed the goal after a corner kick in the 62nd minute.
In the 69th minute, Argentina made the decision with a counterattack and scored the Albiceleste 3-0. Messi dribbles out of the strong Gvardiol on the right wing and finally gets past him and plays the ball behind the defence. Alvarez is free there and pushes the ball from 7 metres to Livakovicover. That was the decision. Croatia still tried to correct the result, but there was not much left to gain. Argentina was able to bring the result sovereign over time and thus qualified again after 2014 for a World Cup final. Argentina’s celebrations at the Lusail Stadium are endless, while Croatia’s tears shed. Argentina will play for the world title in the final on Sunday, while Croatia will be looking to secure at least the bronze medal on Saturday.
