via Reuters
Soccer Football – FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 – Semi Final – Argentina v Croatia – Lusail Stadium, Lusail, Qatar – December 13, 2022 Argentina’s Julian Alvarez celebrates scoring their third goal with Lionel Messi and teammates REUTERS/Lee Smith
via Reuters
Soccer Football – FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 – Semi Final – Argentina v Croatia – Lusail Stadium, Lusail, Qatar – December 13, 2022 Argentina’s Julian Alvarez celebrates scoring their third goal with Lionel Messi and teammates REUTERS/Lee Smith
Argentia has qualified for the final of the FIFA World Cup for the 2nd time in eight years. Lionel Messi powered the Albicelestes to the final with two vital goal contributions. However, Argentina’s young striker Julian Alvarez buried the game with his brace in the semis. Croatia didn’t have many chances to score apart from a few form set-pieces. But they will head home with their heads high as they gave their best in the competition.
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Lionel Messi opened the scoring for Argentina with a penalty. However, many thought it was a soft penalty as the Croatian keeper tried to save the ball from Alvarez. But the referee was convinced that it was a foul from Livakovic and gave him a yellow.
This view of Lionel Messi… 😳🔥pic.twitter.com/zxiJi6a3s3
— SPORTbible (@sportbible) December 13, 2022
Julian Alvarez took it from Messi and scored the next two goals to seal the win for Argentina. Messi turned supplier for Argentina’s 3rd goal as he went past Gvardiol to assist Alvarez. Argentina’s 3-0 win sent shockwaves around the world as many expected it to be a tight game.
Soccer fans react to Lionel Messi helping Argentina reach the World Cup finals
Lionel Messi’s goal and assist were enough to send Argentina to the final of the competition. However, many fans questioned his goal as they thought it was a soft penalty from the referee. But apart from the penalty, Argentina deserved to qualify as they dominated the game throughout.
Following are some of the reactions to the game:
Crazy how it wasn't a rigged World Cup when Argentina lost to Saudi….Cry more😂😂
— _. berneese. _🧚♀️ (@the_berneese_) December 13, 2022
It’s pretty ironic thag ronaldo fans are saying this wc is rigged bc let’s all remind everyone that Ronaldo is only in the “goat debate” because of the 3-peat and those 3 UCLs was full of obvious mistakes in favor of ronaldo himself.
— Bav 🕊 (@iiMiaSanMia) December 13, 2022
Take away the penalty since people keep claiming it’s “rigged” and Argentina is still up 2-0 lmaooo
— 𝐕𝔦𝔫 🇳🇱 (@vinrmfc) December 13, 2022
It might be rigged after all, how can you justify, that defender of the tournament a 20yr old, got spun by 35yr old messi.
— FR95🍜 (@eazyqualtwo) December 13, 2022
Wild how there’s people who watched that solo goal from Julian and that assist from Messi and probably still think that this World Cup is rigged lol
— Juan 🇲🇽 (@socraticjuan) December 13, 2022
No way people are saying this match is rigged 😭😭
— Saith Abdullah (@SaithAbdullah99) December 13, 2022
Its rigged 100% but Messi deserves it after this campaign. He has been cooking . Mbappe deserves it aswell tho. France vs Marroco Tomorrow will be amazing ngl
— Albi 🇽🇰 (@albiFCB7) December 13, 2022
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Argentina truly deserved to win the game as they dominated both halves of the game. Luka Modric had a good outing in what could be his final World Cup game. But he received a standing ovation from both Croatia and Argentina fans, which was fitting.
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What are your predictions for the FIFA World Cup final? Let us know in the comment section below.
