Argentina beat Croatia 3-0 to reach World Cup final
Lusail (Qatar)(AP/PTI): Lionel Messi bent over, clutched his left hamstring and appeared to grimace, immediately spreading panic through the soccer world but especially among all Argentines.
Before long, Messi was producing perhaps the best performance of his record-tying 25 appearances at the World Cup, leading Argentina to a 3-0 victory over Croatia on Tuesday that set up a meeting with either France or Morocco in Sunday's final.
Messi converted a penalty and played a part in the other two goals by Juli n lvarez one with an outrageous piece of skill that brought roars of approval from Argentina's huge following to turn an initially tense occasion into a procession.
"A lot is going through my head it's very emotional seeing all of this," Messi said in a post-match interview on the field as he looked up at Argentina's celebrating, scarf-waving supporters. "To see the fans the family' during the whole tournament was so incredible. We're going to the final, which is what we wanted."
It will be Messi's second World Cup final Argentina lost the other one to Germany in 2014 in what might be his last appearance at the tournament.
"I am honored to train him and see him play," said Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni, who was in tears in the post-match celebrations. "Every time you see him play, it's a huge source of motivation for his teammates, fans and the whole world."
Croatia failed in its bid to reach a second straight World Cup final after conceding two goals in a five-minute span from the 34th, just when the team was looking comfortable at Lusail Stadium.
Messi was soon toying with his opponents in a way only he can and put Argentina ahead by lifting his penalty into the top corner after lvarez was taken out by Dominik Livakovic after clipping the ball past the Croatia goalkeeper.
lvarez scored himself in the 39th after a surging run from halfway, which started after he collected Messi's short pass. Then came the crowning moment, lvarez's second goal, after Messi took Gvardiol for a ride in the right corner.
It was one game too far for Croatia, which had beaten Japan and Brazil on penalties in the knockout stage, and star midfielder Luka Modric, who at 37 has likely played his final World Cup match.
Summing up a frustrating game for the little midfield magician, he was substituted in the 81st minute and had a bright red nose after the ball slammed into his face moments earlier.
"The first goal took the match in a different direction," Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic said. "It's the true Messi we all expected to see."
Argentina maintained its record of never having lost in the World Cup semifinals and has reached the final for the sixth time.
"Even though we lost our first match, we were confident that this group was going to push forward," Messi said. "We know what we are, and we called on the fans to believe in us."
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Suryakumar's half-century, Hardik's five-for in vain as LSG defeat MI by 12 runs
Lucknow, Apr 4 (PTI): Suryakumar Yadav's fighting half-century went in vain as Lucknow Super Giants defeated Mumbai Indians by 12 runs in an Indian Premier League match here on Friday.
Batting first, LSG, riding on half-centuries from openers Mitchell Marsh (60 off 31 balls) and Aiden Markram (53 off 38 balls), scored 203/8 despite MI skipper Hardik Pandya (5/36) taking his maiden five-wicket haul in T20 cricket.
In reply, MI were restricted to 191 for five despite Suryakumar scoring a 43-ball 67, studded with nine boundaries and a six.
Shardul Thakur, Akash Deep, Avesh Khan and Digvesh Rathi took a wicket each for LSG.
Former MI skipper Rohit Sharma sat out of the contest after being hit on the knee during nets.
Brief scores:
Lucknow Super Giants: 203 for 8 in 20 overs (Mitchell Marsh 60, Aiden Markram 53, Ayush Badoni 30, David Miller 27; Hardik Pandya 5/36).
Mumbai Indians: 191 for 5 in 20 overs (Naman Dhir 46, Suryakumar Yadav 67, Tilak Varma 25, Hardik Pandya 28 not out).
