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

Get Involved - Messi-Ronaldo debate over?

Think we can safely put the Messi v Ronaldo debate to bed now. Messi is on another level.

Chris, North Wales

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Alan Shearer

Former England striker on BBC Radio 5 Live

Mac Allister watches the ball come in across him and it falls to him very nicely. He hits it about two yards wide.

Should be 4-0!

Argentina drive forward and chip a ball into the box for Alexis Mac Allister, who has time to line up a volley but fires it wide.

France have to reach the final first, of course.

But the prospect of Argentina v France does whet the appetite some.

With a side serving of Messi v Mbappe for the Golden Boot.

Get Involved - Argentina peaking at the right time?

Argentina's best game of the tournament. They seem to have found momentum at the right time. You can see and feel how much they want to win. The final against France will be epic!

Miros, Leeds

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'Take Messi off'

Rob Green

Former England goalkeeper on BBC Radio 5 Live

Why is Messi still on the pitch? He's been terrific tonight. Do you need him for the final? Yes. Are you in the final? Yes. Get him off the pitch! Don't know what he is doing on there.

Shamoon Hafez

BBC Sport at Lusail Stadium

Nice ovation for Luka Modric as he makes his way off the pitch with 10 minutes remaining.

He's got Saturday's third-fourth place play-off to come, but will be see him in a Croatia shirt again after this World Cup?

SUBSTITUTION

Croatia sling on Lovro Majer, surely just to give him a taste of the World Cup.

The man departing is Luka Modric, who has very likely just departed the World Cup stage.

His last act - that ball to the end of the nose.

What a player, though.

As if this night hasn't been bad enough for Luka Modric, he now gets a ball straight into the face.

Magnificent Messi

Argentina have scored 12 goals in the tournament now.

Lionel Messi has scored five of them and set up another four.

He's leading the race for the Golden Boot now...

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Rob Green

Former England goalkeeper on BBC Radio 5 Live

You look at the Argentina backline and you wouldn't say anyone has been outstanding in there, they have done fine but they just haven't been tested.

The passes are going astray now for Croatia, heads down.

Mislav Orsic tries to curl a shot into the far corner but he misses by a long way. They just haven't landed a blow.

'Alvarez crucial to Argentina's final destination'

Alan Shearer

Former England striker on BBC Radio 5 Live

Two goals from Alvarez and he got the penalty for Messi. It really has been such an impressive performance for him. Not only in this game but in the others as well, to help to get Argentina to where they are about to go, the World Cup final, he has more than played his part.

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It's Argentina at a canter now. They are stroking the ball around with ease. Croatia are broken.

You're still thinking about the Messi assist aren't you?

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Get Involved

The low centre of gravity, the skill, the close control, the movement have all been celebrated for years and years with Lionel Messi. But an underrated element of his genius is his strength.

Andrew

SUBSTITUTIONS

Marko Livaja is on for Croatia, like it will make a difference.

Argentina take the chance to rest players. Off go Rodrigo de Paul and Julian Alvarez.

On come Exequiel Palacios as well as Paulo Dybala for his first World Cup minutes. Not a bad man to have in reserve.

Get Involved - 'The little master doing what he does best'

The Little Master doing what the Little Master does best. Can't wait to see him lift the World Cup.

J Staggs, High Wycombe

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Lionel Messi is the first player to score and assist in three different games in a single edition of a World Cup since 1966 (when Opta have records from).

'Party for Argentina'

Rob Green

Former England goalkeeper on BBC Radio 5 Live

That was a 40-50 yard run just down the wing, driving into the box, just the strength, then the ability. And now the party that has started here in the Lusail Stadium.