Messi scored and assisted in Argentina’s semi-final victory over Croatia and is now one match away from finally getting his hands on the World Cup trophy.
The Paris Saint-Germain superstar smashed a first-half penalty past Dominik Livakovic – who had starred in Croatia’s previous shootout wins against Brazil and Japan – after Julian Alvarez was awarded a controversial spot-kick.
Alvarez then embarked on an incredible run from just inside the Croatian half which culminated in the Manchester City forward somewhat fortuitously slotting home to double Argentina’s lead before half-time.
Messi and Alvarez combined to score Argentina’s third in the second half; Messi brilliantly dribbling his way past Josko Gvardiol before his 22-year-old team-mate converted a cut-back.
It was another masterclass from Messi, who has been one of the stars of Qatar 2022 in what will surely be his final World Cup.
‘You never get tired of showing that you are the best in the world,’ Messi’s former Barcelona team-mate Suarez said on Instagram.
‘The whole world stops to applaud this guy and what he’s given to football. Incredible my friend!’
Messi, meanwhile, says Argentina proved how ‘strong’ they are by recovering from an opening defeat to Saudi Arabia to storm into the World Cup final, where they will meet France or Morocco.
‘I would say the first match [the defeat against Saudi Arabia] was a hard blow because we had been unbeaten in six matches,’ Messi said. ‘To start in such a way in a World Cup, we did not think we would lose to Saudi Arabia.
‘It was an acid test of the whole squad but we proved how strong we are. We won the other matches and it was very difficult what we did. Every match was a final and we were aware if we did not win things would be complicated for us.
‘We have won five finals and I hope this is the case for the final on Sunday. We lost in the first match due to fine details but it helped us to be stronger.’
The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner added: ‘I am enjoying this a lot. I am feeling really good, I feel strong enough to face every match. The previous match was a big sacrifice.
‘Today we were tired but we pulled out strength to earn the victory. We played very well, we preferred to play this way because we knew they would not have the ball.
‘We knew we would have to run. We prepared in a very good way. I feel very happy in this World Cup. I am able to help the squad.’
On Sunday, Argentina will either face a France side defending their World Cup title or a Morocco team who became the first African nation to reach the World Cup semi-finals in Qatar.
MORE : Lionel Messi allays injury fears after guiding Argentina into World Cup final
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