And after Australia in the round of 16 (2-1), after the Netherlands in the quarters (2-2 ap, 4 tab to 3), this time it was Croatia, vice-world champion 2018, who succumbed in the semi-finals in front of the Argentinian and the magic of his N.10.
Best Squire of the “Roy Leo”, the untenable Julian Alvarez first caused a penalty, converted by Messi (34th) who at the same time joined Mbappé at the top of the scorers’ rankings with a 5th achievement. The young Manchester City striker then doubled the bet after a disheveled counter-attack, with all the success of his 22 years and two favorable counterattacks (39th).
But Messi remains Messi: on the third goal, it was the star of Paris SG who drove the Croatian defense crazy before serving back Alvarez (69th), author of his 4th goal in this World Cup.
In a Lusail stadium acquired from the sky and white camp, these goals freed the thousands of Argentinian supporters massed in the stands, religiously devoted to the cause of “their” Messi (35) despite the Albiceleste’s initial difficulties in Qatar (including a 2-1 defeat against Saudi Arabia).
Heartbreak for Modric
They hope to be just as numerous and just as happy on Sunday for the final, scheduled in the same stadium (4:00 p.m.), while Croatia will have to settle for the match for third place on Saturday (4:00 p.m.), against the loser of the other half. -final, France-Morocco, scheduled for Wednesday (8:00 p.m.).
This outcome is heartbreaking for the Croats and for their playing master Luka Modric (37), who undoubtedly dreamed of the most beautiful scene to end his career in the World Cup… even if a possible third podium world after 1998 (3rd) and 2018 (2nd) would reward the immense footballing talent of this small country of less than 4 million inhabitants.
Who will stand in the way of Messi and a whole people on Sunday? France, reigning world champion and executioner of Argentina in the eighth in 2018 (4-3)? Or the amazing Morocco, the first African team qualified for the last four and emblem of the Arab world?
The Qatari owners of Paris SG may be torn on Wednesday between supporting another Arabic-speaking nation and dreaming of a legendary confrontation between two of their finest jewels, Parisian strikers Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé.
Between the seven-time Argentinian Ballon d’Or and his young cadet, himself a contender for the trophy for the best player in the world, the duel would be spectacular. And particularly spicy after comments by Mbappé describing South American football in May “not as advanced” than its European counterpart, which caused an outcry in Argentina…
Messi in the light
In the meantime, between Messi and Modric, the duel for the Ballons d’Or did not really take place on Tuesday evening, as Argentina quickly sanctioned the defensive mistakes of the Croats. The score, mirror of the resounding Croatian victory in the group stage of the World Cup-2018 (3-0), also has an air of affront washed for the Albiceleste.
There was little more than a small bridge from Modric to enthuse the supporters at the checkered flag at the start of the match, before Messi took all the light: with the 11th goal of his career in the World Cup, here is the “Chip” alone in the lead of Argentine scorers in the history of the premier competition.
By the way, his tenure on Tuesday earned him to equal the record for the number of matches played in the World Cup, with 25 games, as much as the German Lothar Matthaüs (from 1982 to 1998).
The 26th should arrive quickly: Sunday, for the sixth world final in the history of the Albiceleste, Messi and his gang can win a third title after 1978 and 1986, which would make the mute little elf the equal of another little legendary striker, Diego Maradona, consecrated 36 years ago and died in 2020.
And for all the Argentine people, “Diego” attend “Leo” in football heaven.