Messi leads Argentina into World Cup final - reaction

1. Use audio icon at top of page to listen to BBC Radio 5 Live commentary from the Lusail Iconic Stadium in Lusail, Qatar
2. RESULT: Argentina 3-0 Croatia - Lionel Messi scores first-half penalty to give Argentina lead, Julian Alvarez scores either side of half time
3. Argentina last reached the World Cup final in 2014 where they lost to Germany
4. Get Involved: #bbcfootball, text 81111 (UK only – texts will be charged at your standard message rate), or text your comments via WhatsApp on 03301231826

Messi turns on the magic again

So, Argentina and their talisman rumble on to the final as Croatia's overachieving run ends.

Only three teams can now win the 2022 World Cup.

Tomorrow three becomes two as the Spice Girls almost sang.

Join us in the evening for France v Morocco.

I'll leave you with that magical Lionel Messi run to set up Julian Alvarez for that goal that sealed Argentina's place in the final...

Messi your star player as Argentina reach World Cup final

Enjoying the moment

Young gun

Julian Alvarez has scored four goals at World Cup 2022, becoming only the second Argentina player to score four goals at a single edition of the World Cup while aged 22 or under after Gonzalo Higuaín in 2010 (4 goals).

'The best player in the world'

Andy Cryer

BBC Sport in Qatar

Croatia manager Zlatko Dalic has given his view on Lionel Messi: "Nothing much needs to be said about Messi. The best player in the world and very good and very dangerous today. It is the true Messi we expected to see."

'I plan to take Croatia to Euro 2024'

Shamoon Hafez

BBC Sport at Lusail Stadium

More from Croatia manager Zlatko Dalic about whether it is the end of their golden generation: “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. We have had a great team and this generation will finish off their career at Euro 2024. We have the National League and an excellent generation who reached two semi-finals."

On his own future: “I will continue, my contract is until 2024. We have the Nations League then the World Cup qualifications too. My plan and objective is to take Croatia to Euro 2024."

Shot-shy Croatia

Since the 1966 edition, only Netherlands (1 vs Argentina in 2014) have landed fewer shots on target in a World Cup semi-final than Croatia against Argentina tonight (2).

Get Involved - 'Alvarez was another level'

Messi will get the credit for this excellent performance by Argentina but Alvarez was on another level tonight.

Shaun, Manchester

'There is nothing for me to complain about'

Shamoon Hafez

BBC Sport at Lusail Stadium

Croatia manager Zlatko Dalic at his post-match presser: “I would like to congratulate Argentina for winning the semi-final and to thank our boys for what they have done. We need to get back to our feet and try to win the third place. We started the first half an hour well but did not have ball possession and then conceded. We should have had a corner and then it was the penalty. It was a bit too cheap and too easy. We tried to go back, had a counter then conceded a second. It was done at that point. We had possession but did not create opportunities.

“They won against us and achieved the result they wanted. It is sport, they are aggressive and feisty and there is nothing for me to complain about. I have not objections to make and we cannot get nervous and accept aggression but they put four aggressive attackers. We did not have the quality we needed.

“I have said this is the worst situation we can be in. Now you have a loss and have to fight for third. I told the players they have to keep their head up and be proud of what they have achieved. We need to psychologically come back for the game versus France or Morocco. The players are sad, it is hard for them and they feel they could have done more."

'Scaloni is getting the best out of Messi and Alvarez'

Alan Shearer

Former England striker on BBC Radio 5 Live

The manager has found a way to get the best out of Messi in there and also Alvarez. It suits this team and it's looking really impressive.

They are having great fun on that pitch, they don't want to go into that dressing room.

Getty Images

Get Involved - do you need to a win World Cup to be considered the greatest?

I really don't understand the argument that you must win a World Cup to be considered the greatest player of all time. Erling Haaland is banging goals in for fun at club (and international level) but will he never be considered "great" because Norway don't do as well as Argentina, Brazil, France etc

Ross

'Everyone wants to watch the spectacle that Messi provides'

Tim Vickery

BBC Sport South American football expert

Diego Maradona said about Messi that he can dribble while watching TV and change the channels. But while he is playing, nobody wants to change the channel. Everyone wants to watch the spectacle that he provides.

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Get Involved - Messi v Ronaldo debate rumbles on

To those who are saying Messi is better than Ronaldo. Ronaldo won the European championships which is as hard as the world Cup. And Messi so far has performed good against good teams but not world class teams. Let's see what he does against France in the final.

Dyar, Harrow

'I am feeling really good'

Shamoon Hafez

BBC Sport at Lusail Stadium

More from Lionel Messi: “I am enjoying this A LOT. I am feeling really good, I feel strong enough to face every match. The previous match was a big sacrifice. Today we were tired but we pulled out strength to earn the victory. We played very well, we preferred to play this way because we knew they would not have the ball. We knew we would have to run. We prepared in a very good way. I feel very happy in this World Cup. I am able to help the squad."

More Messi records

Lionel Messi has now scored 11 goals at the World Cup, the outright most of any Argentina player in the competition’s history. In fact, Messi became the first Argentina player to score in five different matches in a single edition of the World Cup.

Messi made his 25th World Cup appearance this evening against Croatia, equalling Germany’s Lothar Matthäus for the joint-most appearances in the competition’s history.

Messi has become the first player to both score and assist in four separate World Cup matches (since the 1966 edition), doing so versus Serbia in 2006 and versus Mexico, Netherlands and Croatia at this current edition (2022).

'Messi would snap your hand off to win the World Cup'

Rob Green

Former England goalkeeper on BBC Radio 5 Live

If you asked Messi if he wanted to be the best in the world or if he wants that medal, he would want that medal on Sunday. One takes care of the other.

I think that's the answer. He would snap your hand off for a World Cup winners medal now. For someone who has done so much for football.

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Two true big hitters

Since the 1966 edition, no player has scored or assisted in more different World Cup matches than Lionel Messi (13 – level with Brazilian Ronaldo).

Get Involved

Messi magic and Argentinian grit and determination. But a word for this Croatian squad who continue to defy the odds on the big stage. A steely resolve and a never-give-in attitude has been born from the ashes of a war-torn nation 30 years ago, as evidenced by the generations of 1998, 2018 and 2022.

Andrew

'Messi still has the magic'

Alan Shearer

Former England striker on BBC Radio 5 Live

Argentina are in the final because of Messi. Everyone looks to him. He doesn't work as hard as he once did and he might not be as quick as he once was all those years ago.

But he has still got that magic, that ability to twist and turn and run with the ball and go past those defenders with ease.

He can make the very very best look ridiculously average at times which of course they are not.

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