another record
The complex play and tight triangles Croatia were attempting only fumbled in a small way, and when they did Argentina looked poised to pounce.
It was a cruel irony that, after looking the stronger side for the best part of half an hour, it was Croatia’s inspirational playmaker Luka Modric who lost possession and let Argentina in.
Julian Alvarez was sent clean through on the end of a route-one pass. Back in Cannes he ran towards the goal – almost as fast as the spider-cam fizzing with the wire tracking his run from the stadium ceiling – and chipped Dominik Livacovich, before being flattened by the goalkeeper.
It seemed there was nothing Livkovic could do to avoid colliding with the striker, but referee Daniele Orsato pointed straight to the spot, booking Livkovic and Mateo Kovacic for complaining before Messi went to the penalty spot. .
Seconds later the net was unfurled and the packed Lusail Stadium erupted in a deafening roar as Argentina’s players surrounded their captain.
Another record was snatched, with the goal surpassing Gabriel Batistuta’s 10 to become Argentina’s all-time record 11 goalscorer at the World Cup.
Already shaken, it was to be worse for Croatia five minutes later when Alvarez broke free again after a similar pattern of losing possession. Two attempted tackles only saw the ball pounce from Álvarez and go away before the ball crossed to Livacovich to double Argentina’s lead.
Argentina looked sharp and hungry and took the lead in the 70th minute after another breakaway, this time through Messi.
He swung left and right past defender Josco Guardiol and headed the ball from the byline back to Alvarez, who calmly slotted home a third from close range to signal excitement in the blue and white end of the day. Have come. , excitement that continued until the full-time whistle and beyond.
“We knew Croatia would have possession but we had the power to recover the ball. They weren’t good in possession,” Messi said.
“We are not lost on the pitch, we know what to do in every moment of the game. That’s why we were not desperate in this match when we had to run from side to side.”
“We have been through some difficult situations, some very good ones. Today we are experiencing something wonderful.
“I’m enjoying it with all these people and with all the Argentines who live in our country. I think it must be crazy.