The first game of the semifinals stage has finished, and Argentina will play their second final matchup in the last three World Cups after a huge 3-0 win over Croatia. Here it is, the Man of the Match chosen by FIFA.
Argentina will play in their sixth FIFA World Cup final thanks to a huge performance from a team led by Lionel Scaloni, but especially Lionel Messi and youngster Julian Alvarez, who scored three goals between them to book their place in the final against Qatar. World Cup 2022.
After a disappointing start with a 2-1 loss to Saudi Arabia, Lionel Scaloni’s team was questioned and heavily criticised, however the Albiceleste have since produced huge performances with their star Messi leading the way with great playmaking ability and crucial goals scored.
As one of the final hurdles in the final match, Croatia was seen as the more aggressive opponent. However, Argentina managed to hold on to their lead throughout the match to easily win 3-0 over the 2018 runners-up and upset Luka Modric’s side.
Who was the man of the match of Argentina vs Croatia semifinals game?
As it happened in all the matches of the Argentine national team during this 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Lionel Messi was awarded with the Man of the Match award. In the 3-0 win over Croatia, Messi made one penalty goal, after the foul to Julian Alvarez, and in the second half, he made the assist for Alvarez to score the third goal of the match.
Through the 2022 Qatar World Cup, Messi has scored 5 goals in six games, to tie with Kylian Mbappe for the goalscorer of the tournament, as well as the player with most assists through the tournament. He is tied with Bruno Fernandez, Antoine Griezmann, and Harry Kane, all of them with 3 assists.
Also, Messi has clinched a new milestone with the Argentine national team. Messi is the Argentina’s all-time top scorer in a World Cup tournament. After his penalty goal in this match, he passed up Gabriel Batistuta, who scored 10 goals, and now Messi sits alone with 11 goals scored in the first place.
