For Lionel Messi the crowning glory beckons. As Argentina’s gaze zeroed in on a third World Cup triumph, it was impossible to ignore their leader. It should not only be about him. There were other stars in blue and white stripes, most notably Julián Álvarez. But when Messi plays like this and with the power of the narrative around him, it can surely feel that way.
Messi was irresistible, overwhelming. He got Argentina up and running with a coolly converted penalty – his fifth goal of the tournament, taking him level with France’s Kylian Mbappé in the race for the Golden Boot – and he was involved at the beginning of the killer second for Álvarez.
Written by David Hytner at the Lusail Stadium
This news first appeared on https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/dec/13/argentina-croatia-world-cup-semi-final-match-report under the title “Inspired Lionel Messi takes Argentina past Croatia and into World Cup final”. Bolchha Nepal is not responsible or affiliated towards the opinion expressed in this news article.
