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Preview: Argentina play Croatia on Tuesday in the first World Cup semifinal match, and the winner will face either defending champion France or Morocco in Sunday’s final at Lusail Stadium.Lionel Messi and Luka Modric have led Argentina and Croatia to the final four with stellar performances, and both are looking to cap their careers with a World Cup title. Messi and Argentina lost in the 2014 final to Germany, and Modric and Croatia lost in the 2018 final to France. Croatia has already ended Neymar’s World Cup by beating Brazil in the quarterfinals. Now it hopes to do the same to Lionel Messi in the semifinals on Tuesday. Real Madrid midfielder isn’t the only player for the big occasion in the Croatia squad. Ivan Perišić is another of the team’s veterans at the age of 33 and has scored more goals at major tournaments than any other Croatian. With inputs from AP Read all the Latest News , Trending News , Cricket News , Bollywood News , India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram .
FIFA World Cup 2022, Argentina vs Croatia Highlights: Lionel Messi, Julian Alvarez take Argentina into final
FIFA World Cup 2022, Highlights: ARGENTINA ARE IN THE FINAL! A brace from Julian Alvarez and a goal from Lionel Messi are enough for Argentina to go through to the final of the FIFA World Cup, where they will face either France or Morocco.
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Will Argentina finally win the World Cup?
Full time Argentina 3-0 Croatia
ARGENTINA ARE IN THE FINAL! A brace from Julian Alvarez and a goal from Lionel Messi are enough for Argentina to go through to the final of the FIFA World Cup, where they will face either France or Morocco. Croatia are out of the reckoning for the title, but they still can secure third place when they play the other losing semi-finalist on Saturday.
90’ Argentina 3-0 Croatia
Five minutes added in injury time, five minutes before Argentina officially confirm their place in FIFA World Cup 2022 final.
81’ Argentina 3-0 Croatia
Luka Modric, in what could be his final appearance at a FIFA World Cup at the age of 37, makes way for Lovro Majer. Meanwhile, Paulo Dybala is on for Argentina, for the first time this tournament.
Lionel Messi, a true legend!
69’ Argentina 3-0 Croatia
GOAAL! Julian Alvarez with his second goal of the night, and Argentina’s third. Lionel Messi with the assist! Croatia are unable to provide answers to this Argentine defence, but the two-time champions look set to reach another World Cup final, unless Croatia can provide a miracle of sorts.
The Manchester City player has impressed so far for Argentina!
51’ Argentina 2-0 Croatia
Another substitution from Croatia as Marcelo Brozovic makes way for Bruno Petkovic. Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez with a fine save to deny Luka Modric a goal from the latter’s free-kick.
Second half: Argentina 2-0 Croatia
Right, so the second half of the first semi-final of FIFA World Cup 2022 is underway in Lusail. Argentina kicking off proceedings in this half and will be looking for a third, while Croatia aim to fight back. Croatia with a double substitution as Mario Pasalic and Borna Sosa make way for Nikola Vlasic and Mislav Orsic.
Julian Alvarez living the dream!
Half time: Argentina 2-0 Croatia
Goals from Lionel Messi and Julian Alvarez give Argentina a 2-0 lead over Croatia, the Modric and Co have been left with a lot to do if they are to survive this contest. It’s been a lively match so far, and we’re just 45 minutes from knowing if Messi’s World Cup dream goes on.
Argentina 2-0 Croatia
Four minutes added in injury time as Argentina prepare to head to half-time with a two-goal advantage.
Argentina 2-0 Croatia
GOAAAL!! Julian Alvarez doubles Argentina’s lead and now Croatia have their task cut out. He receives a pass in the build-up towards the goal, and runs through the Croatian defenders to hit the goal.
34’ Argentina 1-0 Croatia
GOAAAL!! Lionel Messi gives Argentina a 1-0 lead as he converts a penalty. Croatia goalkeeper Livakovic commits a foul inside the box. He is handed a yellow card, and Argentina win a penalty. Messi does the rest!
Argentina 0-0 Croatia
Croatia’s Dejan Lovren with a cross into the box and launches a shot towards the target. It’s a lost opportunity to Croatia as the ball misses the target.
Argentina 0-0 Croatia
Croatia’s Dejan Lovren with a cross into the box and launches a shot towards the target. It’s a lost opportunity to Croatia as the ball misses the target.
Argentina 0-0 Croatia
Croatia’s Dejan Lovren with a cross into the box and launches a shot towards the target. It’s a lost opportunity to Croatia as the ball misses the target.
14’ Argentina 0-0 Croatia
Goalless still in Lusail but Croatia are enjoying 54 percent of the ball possession so far. Meanwhile, Croatia’s Mario Pasalic executes a rough tackle on an opposition player, and referee signals a foul.
5’ Argentina 0-0 Croatia
Rodrigo de Paul with a good pass to the Croatian opposition box, but Livakovic, the Croatian goalkeeper, makes a fine save. Meanwhile, milestone alert as Lionel Messi equals Germany legend Lothar Matthaus’ record of most FIFA World Cup appearances, as Messi starts for the 25th time.
Just minutes away from kick-off!
Who will come out on top in this battle?
FIFA World Cup 2022 LIVE updates
Croatia road to semi-finals
Group stage
Drew with Morocco 0-0
Beat Canada 4-1
Drew with Belgium 0-0
Knockout stage
Round of 16: Beat Japan 3-1 via penalties (1-1 after extra time)
Quarter-finals: Beat Brazil 4-2 on penalties (1-1 after extra time)
FIFA World Cup 2022 LIVE updates
Argentina road to semi-finals
Group Stage
Lost to Saudi Arabia 2-1
Beat Mexico 2-0
Beat Poland 2-0
Knockout stage
Round of 16: Beat Australia 2-1
Quarter-finals: Beat Netherlands 4-3 on penalty shootout (2-2 after extra time)
FIFA World Cup LIVE updates
Lineups
Argentina: Martínez; Molina, Romero, Otamendi, Tagliafico; De Paul, Paredes, Fernández, Mac Allister; Messi (C), Álvarez.
Croatia: Livakovic; Juranovic, Lovren, Gvardiol, Sosa; Modric (C), Brozovic, Kovacic; Pasalic, Kramaric, Perisic.