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...

Lionel Messi was voted player of the match as he led his side to the World Cup final with victory over Croatia in Qatar.

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).

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."

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."

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).

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."

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.

Image source, Getty Images

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.

Image source, Getty Images

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."

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).

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.

Image source, Getty Images

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

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.

Image source, Getty Images