https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8agy-603-Qs

Argentina vs Croatia 3-0 Highlights : FIFA World Cup (Qatar) – December 13th, 2022.

The knockout stage of semi final for Qatar 2022 World Cup between Argentina & Croatia started with full attacking forces.

Sensational from Messi, who darts in from the right wing, pauses, spins past Gvardiol to get into the box and then squares a ball to Alvarez for a tap-in. Fantastic goal!

The corner’s flashed in for Mac Allister, who surely thinks he’s scored with a downward header. But Livakovic sticks out a strong arm to make an outrageous reflex save.

The ball nearly dribbles into the bottom right, deflecting off a confused Juranovic, but bounces inches wide of the post. So close to a third that would surely settle it!

Perisic fancies his chances from a free-kick from distance and goes for power, but Martinez manages to gather. It was well struck, but a bit too ambitious.

First change for Argentina as Lisandro Martinez comes on for Leandro Paredes. They’ve made the cardinal sin of a substitution just before defending a set-piece there and an unseemly scramble ensured. Dejan Lovren probably should have scored.

Livakovic punches the second corner clear. Croatia desperately need to hear the half-time whistle. They were the better side until the penalty, and now look!

Lovren’s loose pass allows Alvarez to skitter down the left at speed. He should send Tagliafico free down the middle, but opts to rake a crossfield pass towards Messi. A very promising move breaks down as a result.