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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.