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

'We have won five finals'

Shamoon Hafez

BBC Sport at Lusail Stadium

Lionel Messi has been speaking to the media in his post-match press conference: “I would say the first match [the defeat against Saudi Arabia] was a hard blow because we had been unbeaten in six matches. To start in such a way in a World Cup, we did not think we would lose to Saudi Arabia.

"It was an acid test of the whole squad but we proved how strong we are. We won the other matches and it was very difficult what we did. Every match was a final and we were aware if we did not win things would be complicated for us.

"We have won five finals and I hope this is the case for the final on Sunday. We lost in the first match due to fine details but it helped us to be stronger."

Shamoon Hafez

BBC Sport at Lusail Stadium

Still wild Argentina celebrations going on on the pitch.

The players are now jumping in a circle and having a dance-off.

Or is it the hokey-cokey?

Getty Images

View from Croatia - 'Maybe next World Cup'

Guy De Launey

BBC Balkans Correspondent

Antonio: "It's very disappointing. I expected the win. But what can we do - maybe next World Cup. We're not strong in attack, play defensively and when we lost the first goal, we lost momentum."

Ante: "The lack of a striker like Mandzukic is a big issue."

Arijan: "We need a goalscorer. We have a great midfield, but you can't keep asking them to come up with the goals."

BBC News

Get Involved - Praise for Man City's recruitment

For all that the 'moneybags' label gets lazily thrown at City, signing Haaland and Alvarez for £20m less than Nunez and £35m less than Antony shows where the brains and the smart recruitment lies in English football

Scooby, Manchester

Shamoon Hafez

BBC Sport at Lusail Stadium

While the players bounced up and down in front of their fans, Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni was in tears, it's all a bit too much to take in.

Real emotion down in that dugout.

Second only to Germany

Argentina have now reached the World Cup final for the sixth time, doing so in two of the last three editions of the competition (also in 2014) – only Germany (8) have reached more finals in the competition than Argentina (6 – level with Italy and Brazil).

They are just the second team in World Cup history to win two different semi-finals by a 3+ goal margin (also Germany), with Argentina also winning 6-1 versus USA in 1930. This was the biggest World Cup semi-final victory while keeping a clean sheet.

'Well earned win for Argentina'

Rob Green

Former England goalkeeper on BBC Radio 5 Live

Argentina were composed at the back and clever up front. They were creative, they were clinical. They have earnt this and won it hands down.

Getty Images

'Argentina will fancy their chances'

Alan Shearer

Former England striker on BBC Radio 5 Live

Argentina deserve it, they have looked really impressive. For me this was their best performance of the tournament. Form start to finish, it was never in danger. They looked so comfortable, looked strong all over the pitch.

With Alvarez and Messi up front, you have always got a chance. With the running ability and the energy that Alvarez has and the ability that Messi has.

They will fancy their chances on Sunday here again.

Shamoon Hafez

BBC Sport at Lusail Stadium

Argentina subs piled onto the pitch as the referee blew the full-time whistle.

They all made a beeline for the little magician Lionel Messi, who has lit up this World Cup and now has the chance to lift the trophy that has eluded him.

Getty Images

'Argentina are hitting their peak'

Guy Mowbray

Commentator on BBC TV

It looks like Argentina might be hitting their peak at absolutely the right time.

And here is the third.

Just watch and enjoy...

Julian Alvarez made it 2-0 with a driving run and flicked finish to take the game away from Croatia...

Right, let's have a little tour through tonight's goals, eh?

We start with the penalty that Messi thumped home to give Argentina the lead...

'Fans jumping, fans swaying'

Andy Cryer

BBC Sport in Qatar

Blue and white scarves being waved around, fans jumping, fans swaying.

And Lionel Messi's favourite football song being sung louder than I've heard it before.. and that is saying something.

What a display from Argentina.

Gary Neville, Roy Keane and Ian Wright have just been asked on ITV if "Lionel Messi is playing at a considerably higher level than you?"

Keane takes the hit, stifles a laugh and simply responds with an almost incredulous: "yeah".

There has been an awful lot of hype during this tournament about Lionel Messi. It's just par for the course, really. He hasn't always justified the blanket media coverage.

Tonight, though, he arguably surpassed even the huge amount of love poured upon him.

It was a magnificent display from the forward, the undoubted highlight that run and assist for the third goal.

It has been a privilege to watch.

FULL-TIME

Argentina's best performance of the tournament so far? Probably.

Lionel Messi and co. have one more game to try and top it.

Getty Images

The final act of the game is a hit from range from Dejan Lovren that flies over.

Get Involved

Croatia look jaded after back to back extra time. My frustration with them is that they beat Brazil who would have given us a better game tonight. Anyway, they should be proud of their performance in the tournament overall.

Maxiemilliano