by The FIFA World Cup 2022 entered his final four on Tuesday, as Argentina easily defeated Croatia 3-0 at Lusail Stadium in Qatar in the first semi-final of the tournament.
Now Argentina will also play France or Morocco in Sunday’s final (10am ET on FOX and the FOX Sports App), while Croatia will play against the underdogs of the match between France and Morocco in the match for the third place on Saturday (10am ET on FOX and the FOX Sports App).
Argentina vs Croatia highlights
Here are the best plays!
Argentina 3, Croatia 0
0′: Two big players ready for action
Lionel Messi and Luka Modrić shook hands as they prepared to play.
15′: An initial fright from Messi?
Messi was seen grabbing his hamstring after an early run against Croatia. But he continued to play and seemed fine.
25′: First save of the match
Enzo Fernández had a shot saved in the bottom right corner, the first by either side of the game.
34′: Goal! Messi punches PK, Argentina leads 1-0
Messi capitalized after Argentina were awarded the penalty with a left footed shot to the top right corner. With the goal, Messi became Argentina’s all-time top scorer at the World Cup.
Lionel Messi scores from a penalty kick to make it 1-0
Another look at Messi’s goal
39′: Goal! Argentina strikes again! Leads 2-0
Julián Álvarez hit with a right footed shot from inside the box to give Argentina a 2-0 lead.
Argentinian Julian Alvarez scores goal against Croatia in 39th minute
42′: Almost a third!
Argentina nearly scored the half’s third goal when Messi’s corner was headed in by Alexis Mac Allister, but was saved by Dominik Livaković.
First half: Argentina 2-0
46′: Messi still in pain
Messi appeared to be bugged by a problem from the start of the first half.
58′: Almost a second for Messi
Messi’s point-blank shot was saved by Dominik Livaković to keep the deficit to two goals.
62′: Almost Croatia’s first
For the first time in the match, Croatia came close against Argentina, but goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez managed to get a hand in.
69′: Goal! Messi offers an assist after another Álvarez goal! Argentina 3-0
Álvarez scored his second goal of the game as Argentina took a 3-0 lead thanks to Messi’s fourth assist of the World Cup.
Argentinian Julian Alvarez scores goal against Croatia in the 69th minute
75′: Álvarez takes over
Álvarez was replaced to a loud ovation following his two-goal performance.
81′: Modrić receives a loud ovation
Modrić was substituted onto the field with Argentina in firm control late in the match.
Final: Argentina 3-0
Messi couldn’t help but smile after the match
The Argentinian fans were ready for it
Pre-game:
Laying the groundwork
Tuesday’s match is Argentina and Croatia’s sixth overall meeting and the third World Cup meeting between those two nations, with the previous two meetings split one apiece. The last World Cup match was in 2018 when Croatia won 3-0 against Argentina in the group stage.
Overall the series between the two nations is tied at 2-1-2 going into today’s match.
Looking ahead to the finals, Argentina have progressed to the final each of the previous four times they have reached the semifinals at the World Cup (1930, 1986, 1990, 2014).
On the other hand, Croatia are unbeaten in their last 11 matches and are looking to become the fifth runners-up from the previous World Cup to reach the final at the next World Cup, joining the Netherlands in 1978, West Germany in 1986 and in 1990 and Brazil in 2002.
Last World Cup meeting…
Two of the best ready to go
For the first time ever, the Ballon d’Or winners of the previous two World Cup tournaments will face off in a FIFA World Cup match.
Luka Modrić shows some style
Almost that time
Both sides are in a good mood
Flashback to the quarterfinals
Messi is on a mission
Messi has arrived
Back in Argentina, the game is in focus
Luka Modrić and Croatia have arrived
The emotion of the most stressful situation of the match: the penalty kicks
Messi and Argentina take the field to wild ovations
Argentina fans are bringing the energy
Messi and Modrić battle for the elusive World Cup title
Almost now
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