Luay Ahmed
Argentina are through to the World Cup final, after comprehensively defeating Croatia 3-0 at the Lusail Stadium.
The match got off to a cautious start by both sides, who looked to keep possession and make sure they left no gaps to be exploited at the back. Argentina looked to maintain possession in midfield, while Croatia attempted to get their wingbacks up the field to provide crosses into the Argentinian penalty area.
The first dangerous opportunity of the match fell to Argentina, when Enzo Fernandes collected the ball just outside the box, and took a curling effort which was parried away by Livakovic.
Croatia responded with a few forays forward which resulted in minimal goalmouth danger. Ivan Perisic cut in from the left wing, and took a looping right footed shot over the bar in the 30th minute.
The resulting Argentina possession resulted in Julian Alvarez being played through on goal. The Manchester City striker lobbed the ball over Livakovic, but was clattered into by the goalkeeper as the Croatian defense cleared his effort of the line, and the referee pointed to the penalty spot. Leonel Messi stepped up, and rocketed his penalty to the top right corner to give Argentina a 1-0 lead.
Five minutes later, an Argentinian counterattack from a Croatian corner saw Julian Alvarez carry the ball 50 yards up the field, and into the box, where he momentarily lost possession of the ball. A fortunate deflection pushed the ball into his path again, for him to poke it past Livakovic to double Argentina's lead.
In the second half, Argentina cemented their position in the final. In the 70th minute, Leonel Messi picked up the ball on the left wing, and produced a mesmerizing dribble which lead him to the byline. The Argentina captain cut the ball back to Julian Alvarez, who slotted it home at the near post to send Argentina to the final - and give Messi his final chance of winning the World Cup.