FIFA-WORLD-CUP Messi and Alvarez send Argentina to World Cup final after 3-0 win over Croatia

Argentina beat Croatia at Lusail Stadium to advance to the World Cup final for the sixth time, thanks in large part to  Lionel Messi's stellar performance. Messi now has one more chance to win the title that has eluded him throughout his title-filled career, but Manchester City's 22-year-old Julian Alvarez  also shined as the Argentinian assured them they would return. here on Sunday to play against France or Morocco. 

Messi looked like he had a hamstring problem at first, but after 34 minutes, when Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic fouled  Alvarez, Messi recovered just in time to score from the spot. After receiving Messi's header in the Croatian half, Alvarez increased Argentina's advantage five minutes later. He then overcame Livakovic thanks to lucky own goals from Josip Juranovic and Borna Sosa. After the first half, Messi hypnotized Croatia star defender Josko Gvardiol on the touchline before passing the ball  to Alvarez to score the winning goal. 

 Argentina's Lionel Messi will play in Qatar's World Cup final on Sunday  as he is just 90 minutes away from winning the highest honor of having a World Cup permanently associated with his name.