A LITTLE bit of luck and a whole lot of Messi.
That sums up Argentina’s stellar 3-0 win over Croatia in the World Cup semi-final played on Tuesday night.
Destiny seemed to be colluding with Argentina as they went into the break with a 2-0 lead, both goals having been touched with an element of good fortune.
Croatia had looked the better, more composed and confident side, with Kovacic especially enjoying penetrating runs through the midfield.
Argentina were frustrated and started pushing forward more, to good effect.
The first goal came just after the half-hour mark from a rare defensive error that saw Julian Alvarez bearing down on goal.
The ball wasn’t cleared and Alvarez lost the ball and ran into keeper Dominik Livakovic, who was deemed to have committed a foul.
A harsh penalty was given and taken by Messi who slammed it into the top right before this World Cup’s finest keeper could get close (1-0).
Within minutes they had a second goal, this time scored by the perseverance of Alvarez who benefitted by the ball twice bouncing off defenders and landing back in his path, to stroke it past the luckless Livakovic (2-0).
They almost scored another off a corner but Livakovic made an amazing reactive save to prevent the ball entering the bottom corner.
Croatia had no option but to attack full steam in the second half, always at the risk being caught on the counter.
They had a fairly good chance from a corner in the 61st minute but Lovren couldn’t get a decent enough touch.
They were doing a lot of pressing but the magic of maestro Lionel Messi was about to squash whatever faint hopes Croatia had of making up the two goal deficit.
He somehow found space against the touchline where there was none and set off on a dancing dribble, beating two defenders including the best centre back at the tournament in Gvardiol – twice – and unselfishly putting the ball on a plate for Alvarez to bag his brace (3-0).
Croatia did have a chance to get a consolation goal but Lovren again failed to get proper contact on a good corner.
No arguments: the better team on the night clearly was Argentina, who neutralized Luka Modric and for whom Tagliafico had a superb game at the back, breaking up countless attacks.
Perhaps, after two consecutive games that went into extra time and penalties, the legs and the luck had run out for Croatia.
Messi, now the joint top goal scorer, waits with Argentina to see who they will meet in Sunday’s final: Morocco or France.
They’ll be more than ready for either after this resounding performance.
