The fairytale continues, and the comparisons grow. As Diego Maradona bestrode the 1986 World Cup, so Lionel Messi has dominated this one, with another stellar performance that delivered Argentina to the World Cup Final with a 3-0 win over Croatia.
And, speaking after the game, the superstar suggested that the final will be his last outing in an Argentinian jersey, setting up the potential for Messi to cement his legacy as the greatest of all-time by dragging his side to World Cup glory, just as El Diego, did, avenging the 2018 defeat to France – should they win their semi tomorrow – and the 2014 final defeat to Germany in the process.
“Surely it is,” he told Argentinian sports daily Ole when asked about international retirement. “There’s a lot of years ahead for the next one and I don’t think I’ll make it. And to finish it this way is the best.”
If it is to be the last dance, then Messi exits the game at its peak, both in terms of stage and of performance. His assist for Julian Alvarez’s second goal will live long in the memory, a typically shimmying, blood-twisting run that made Josko Gvardiol, a shoo-in for the team of the tournament at centre back, look like a park amateur.
It was the best assist of the tournament, topping his pass for Nahuel Molina at the weekend. That the previous one was a rapier-like pass, built on vision and execution and the other the maziest of dribbles, opposing ends of the spectrum of skill, show the breadth of ability available to the man.
There was a piece of history too – there almost always is – as Messi’s penalty saw him surpass Gabriel Batistuta’s record to become Argentina’s leading scorer in World Cups.
Croatia barely stood a chance. They were, for most of the opening period at least, their usual confident selves, popping passes between the midfield trio of Luka Modric, Marcelo Brozovic and Mateo Kovacic and forcing Argentina back. But then Messi happened. It’s been a bit like that at this tournament.
Their generation will end with a final and a semi-final, with a third-place playoff still to come. Despite the defeat, it is an unbelievable acheivement for a country with a population smaller than Sydney.
“Perhaps this is the end of the generation of the World Cups, a couple have reached an age and have to see what happens in 2026,” said coach Zlatko Dalic, who confirmed that he will stay on until the 2024 European Championships at least.
“Nothing much needs to be said about Messi. The best player in the world, very good and very dangerous today. It is the true Messi we expected to see.”
The issue for Argentina has been getting the other ten men to get close to Messi’s standard. On this occasion, it was Alvarez to came to the party, earning a penalty that Messi converted and scoring a stupendous individual goal.
Even after multiple viewings, it was hard to ascertain how much was skill and how much was luck – there were multiple deflections that went the Manchester City striker’s way – but either way, the charge from within his own half to the Croatian goal will live long in the memory.
“I try not to get emotional,” said Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni on making the World Cup Final. “I’m in the dream place for any Argentine. When you represent your country, it’s impossible not to do what these guys do. It’s emotional.
“We we lost against Saudi Arabia, the people were with us. We felt everyone’s support and that is unequalled. We all push towards the same direction. We all want the common good, we are all fans of the sky blue and white.”
Argentina have gone a goal up in every World Cup game, and Croatia have gone behind in seven of their last nine games at the tournament stretching back to 2018, so it wasn’t surprising that the favourites took the lead.
They did so after a longer-than-normal softening-up period, with Croatia initially dominating the ball without ever producing a threat, Argentina waiting for a moment to spring the trap. Save for an Enzo Fernandez shot from range, that was the sum of the first half hour.
Once Argentina sprang, however, they took over. Fernandez played the simplest of straight balls that saw Alvarez racing through on goal, and when he got his touch the other side of the keeper, he was felled by Livakovic for a clear penalty.
Kovacic was booked for his protestations but might well have thanked referee Daniele Orsato for not sending the goalkeeper off. Messi did the rest, high into the net.
Croatia could not regroup. As they pushed up for a corner, the ball fell to Alvarez on the counter. He charged from inside his own half, direct for the Croatia goal, skirting tacklers, taking a few lucky deflections and eventually poking past Livakovic charge. It was a breathtaking goal, albeit one that was a little more Pumas than Albiceleste.
As much as Croatia have made an art form out of staying knockout games, this was a challenge much more daunting than any other they had faced.
They hooked Marcelo Brozovic, one of the key three in their midfield, for striker Bruno Petkovic, but Argentina seemed unhurried at the back.
Indeed, the best chance of the early second half came on the break, with Livakovic forced to parry a shot from Messi behind.
He would make another vital intervention to kill the game. The maestro took the ball on the right touchline, close to halfway, and tormented Gvardiol all the way to the byline, turning him left and right before cutting back for Alvarez to provide a simple finish.
Alexis Mac Allister, who might have scored in the first half, hit the post late on, and Croatia had chances, with Lovro Majer coming closest from range. But it was killing time before the big moment comes at the weekend. Nobody would bet against the star rising again.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
I think Ronaldo is more capable of dropping deep and doing something than a specialist stiker like a Lewandowski or Halaand. He doesn't really need to do it in his teams either he does it by default sometimes by not moving the play passes him and then he doesn't charge up field to get a goal scoring opportunity if he is deeper, Argentina in this current team need a play maker. He started his career wide, when he was younger he wasn't as good a finisher but ran a lot more. The older he has gotten the running has dissapeared, in 2014 world cup he and Messi were the two outfield players that ran the least outside center backs. Messi his effort level he has maintained at that low level. Ronaldo plunged to new depths of non activity. What Ronaldo needs to do is simply run a lot more and put in some effort, running 3-4 km in a premier league match is like an old man with a walking stick over 2 hours. It doesn't matter which part of the field he does it. The other thing is his free kick rate used to be extremely high, then its dropped off since it suggest he traded free kick practice for the gym and the mirror.
Grand Panjandrum
Guest
Money no longer motivates him. What's $5m to someone who is worth a billion?
Mike
Guest
If you watch Messi interacting with his teammates, you'll see that they love him, admire him and want him there. That's not happening with Ronaldo because he alienates himself. His motivation is all about the glory of Ronaldo and, now that he's not so important as a player, his team don't warm to his arrogance and self-centredness. He doesn't have the complete players skills to drop a bit deeper, as Messi now does, and influence a game with his ability to provide assists. Providing assists was always a great weakness in Ronaldo's game. Why assist others when you can go yourself and get a goal for your tally? The claim he put in for a headed goal that may or may not have touched a Ronaldo hair follicle says everything you need to know about the bloke! Nup, it isn't your goal Ronaldo, so stop being a twat and trying to claim it!
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
It would have to be an international window , and they only need one player, most Australians dont even know Messi's teammates. C team wont matter if it includes Messi. Get Messi by offering him 5 million independent of the rest.
Rugbynutter
Roar Rookie
So I still remember the controversial Socceroos game against Italy we lost and Italy went on to win the World Cup. Less controversial but we lose to Argentina and they go on to win the World Cup do we rethink what could have been…
Cavaquinho
Roar Rookie
Once it cools down, I t will be interesting to see if Messi’s hamstring puts him in doubt for the decider.
Grand Panjandrum
Guest
Argentina aren't ever coming in March. At least not with anything resembling an A or B to team. Clubs wouldn't release them for pointless friendlies coming into the business end of European seasons. And they'd never come for three matches.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
Ronaldo can be the more effective player , he is tall great header, good athlete. Age wise is in better condition. What has happened to Ronaldo is quite weird, it usually happens with the wealthy and rich or in some companies off the field. People get this idea they are above everyone else and then to get others to do all the menial tasks and this gives them a sense of self worth. A lot of people in rich areas of Sydney dont do gardening for example but then got to a gym to workout then some of them get in financial trouble they combine expensive tastes and lack of doing anything, You might have the boss at the workplace he gets people to get him coffees etc.This isnt a serious problem normally but Ronaldo is doing it on the field, Ronaldo thinks he is enhancing his status by avoiding any graft on the field, in reality he is sabotaging his own career. For years he was at two teams that could do the graft for him, now he went to lesser teams like Juventus and the current man U. Portugal as well its always been a problem. Ronaldo thinks he is just being the big daddy and sending others to get his coffee , it doesn;t work that way on the field, he is stuffing up his team. losing matches and even costing himself goals. Players like Shearer played on when they were older but they still worked.
Mike
Guest
Well the Juventus, Man U and Portugal managers all see Ronaldo as a bench player. I'm guessing they know a bit about football. Messi is in the final and has delivered in spades. He's equal top in the golden boot and with assists. Ronaldo has struggled to remain relevant to each of his last three teams. His obsession seems to be about his personal goal tally rather than what's best for his team. Yes, Messi made some silly choices when he was younger, but when it comes to football smarts on the field, there's a big gap between Messi and Ronaldo imo. Ronaldo is not a leader and a bringer together of players - he divides players and teams. He's a been a gun for hire with no real loyalty to anyone but Ronaldo inc. I predict a sad end to his Portugal career unless he is capable of embracing the role of being an impact player from the bench. He doesn't have the passing, organising and game awareness skills to move into another role. I believe his days are numbered at any elite level because his ego won't accept who he is now - not nearly the greatest player in the world anymore, and, unfortunately, a player of little influence other than in social media, cheap headlines and Piers Morgan's phone.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
Argentina are easy to hire provided you have the money. England on the other hand they have surplus money cant get them.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
Argentina were a lot better when the subs came on.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
I didnt see Argentina doing a lot of running, they hung back and Croatia passed it around and arounf. the stats confirm this the most run in the match was 11.34 km by Enzo Fernandez thats quite low, Rodrigo got subbed off in the 74 th minute. Brozovic covered some huge distances in the previous two matches those were matches with extra times. The best were Culina and Valeri in South Africa, mcKay was the best in Brazil.Brozovic is the best after them.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
If Messi was far more intelligent, why did he waste most of his international career and when he was younger with the wrong team line ups.
Choppy Zezers
Roar Rookie
If Argentina wins, they have the brutal match against the Socceroos to thank for it. The 'roos got em battle hardened and set the standard for beating lesser football nations like Brazil and Croatia
Loosey
Roar Rookie
Point of order: No way was the assist better than the one in the Netherlands game. Sure it was a mazy run but just a simple pull back. I doubt anyone could even 'see' the pass he gave to Molina.
Loosey
Roar Rookie
How would they have got past the Netherlands?
Loosey
Roar Rookie
No to Racism?
Grand Panjandrum
Guest
Yeah, I'm sure Argentina will accept that invite too. :thumbdown: :laughing:
Will
Guest
Hope Argentina win it for the little genius, he deserves it.
criag
Roar Rookie
If Argentina and France face off in the final at least we can say the only teams to beat us were the two teams that played the final.