Postpublished at 20:53 Greenwich Mean Time 13 December 2022
Argentina 3-0 Croatia
Rob Green
Former England goalkeeper on BBC Radio 5 Live
If you are a Croatia fan, you stand there, you are beaten and disappointed but you are here.
Summary
Use audio icon at top of page to listen to BBC Radio 5 Live commentary from the Lusail Iconic Stadium in Lusail, Qatar
RESULT: Argentina 3-0 Croatia - Lionel Messi scores first-half penalty to give Argentina lead, Julian Alvarez scores either side of half time
Argentina last reached the World Cup final in 2014 where they lost to Germany
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Postpublished at 20:53 Greenwich Mean Time 13 December 2022
get involved Get Involved - should Messi have been taken off?published at 20:53 Greenwich Mean Time 13 December 2022
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I agree Messi should have gone off after the third goal. Game was won. Save his legs for the final. Argentina need him at his best if they want to win the World Cup
Keith, Salisbury
Postpublished at 90+4 mins
Argentina 3-0 Croatia
Nope.
With Argentine singing filling the air, the final corner of the game is pumped straight to the man at the near post to head away.
Nikola Vlasic is found for a shot that is wild, high and wide.
Postpublished at 90+3 mins
Argentina 3-0 Croatia
Croatia have a corner.
One last chance to produce something.
'View on Messi would change if he wins the World Cup'published at 20:51 Greenwich Mean Time 13 December 2022
Argentina 3-0 Croatia
Alan Shearer
Former England striker on BBC Radio 5 LiveWhat a story that would be if Argentina win the World Cup, would it put an end to the debate of Maradona or Messi?
We said if Messi wins the World Cup here, it might have to be him. That's been the difference, that has been the splitting point. Maradona has won the World Cup. If Messi were to win it here, my view would change.
Image source, Getty ImagesPostpublished at 20:51 Greenwich Mean Time 13 December 2022
Argentina 3-0 Croatia
Shamoon Hafez
BBC Sport at Lusail StadiumEven the Argentina subs are signing 'Muchacho' in that dugout.
get involved Get Involvedpublished at 20:51 Greenwich Mean Time 13 December 2022
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For me, that Messi assist is why he'll always be a better player than Ronaldo. Yes, Messi scores goals - he actually has a better scoring rate than Ronaldo (the guy who 'lives for goals') but Messi is just as good as creating goals. The ultimate team player. Ronaldo clearly isn't that.
Ewan, Stockport
Image source, Getty ImagesPostpublished at 90+1 mins
Argentina 3-0 Croatia
Come on now, let's not open this can of worms now.
Anyway, Messi is better ;)
get involved Get Involvedpublished at 20:50 Greenwich Mean Time 13 December 2022
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Chris, yes agree. I think the stand out difference is that Messi is so much of a complete player rather than just a goal scorer as we have seen tonight. You just cannot see Ronaldo making that 3rd goal.
Alan, West Sussex
Postpublished at 90 mins
Argentina 3-0 Croatia
That's the 90 done. Croatia have five more minutes of meaningful 2022 World Cup football to... enjoy? Endure?
Postpublished at 20:49 Greenwich Mean Time 13 December 2022
Argentina 3-0 Croatia
Alan Shearer
Former England striker on BBC Radio 5 LiveArgentina fans are having a great time and so they should when their team is putting on a performance like this.
Postpublished at 89 mins
Argentina 3-0 Croatia
Croatia continue to have a go.
It's not happening, though. Lovro Majer's shot takes a deflection and is saved by Emi Martinez.
Postpublished at 20:48 Greenwich Mean Time 13 December 2022
Argentina 3-0 Croatia
Shamoon Hafez
BBC Sport at Lusail Stadium"Muchachoooooo" is being belted out by the Argentina fans. That'll be ringing in my ears tonight.
Lusail is rocking.
What a feeling that must be, your team are 3-0 up in a semi-final with 15 minutes to go and you can just kick back and enjoy it.
Postpublished at 20:48 Greenwich Mean Time 13 December 2022
Argentina 3-0 Croatia
Here are the expected goals from this game so far. The bigger the circle, the bigger the opportunity.
Black for Argentina, purple for Croatia and yellow for goals scored.
Both sides have had nine shots, but clearly Argentina have been more clinical with seven on target to Croatia's one.
Image source, OptaPostpublished at 88 mins
Argentina 3-0 Croatia
Remember when Argentina lost to Saudi Arabia? You know, three weeks ago.
get involved Get Involved - 'A bridge too far for Croatia'published at 20:46 Greenwich Mean Time 13 December 2022
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One bridge too far for Croatia tonight. But a phenomenal effort to get there and they can go home with their heads held high.
Jim, Westminster
SUBSTITUTIONpublished at 87 mins
Argentina 3-0 Croatia
More late minutes for some Argentina subs.
Juan Foyth, formerly of Spurs now of Villarreal, is on, along with Angel Correa.
'Limp end for Croatia'published at 20:46 Greenwich Mean Time 13 December 2022
Argentina 3-0 Croatia
Rob Green
Former England goalkeeper on BBC Radio 5 LiveReally good execution, just inches away. It sums up Croatia's efforts tonight. Close at times, not close enough.
Very deflating end to this tournament for Croatia. They've worked so hard to get here against Brazil, the more fancied team. They are limping out now.
Image source, Getty ImagesPostpublished at 86 mins
Argentina 3-0 Croatia
Oh, and they nearly do!
Ivan Perisic flicks the corner on at the near post but two Croatia players - one of them Dejan Lovren - can't make a telling touch as the ball drifts in front of him.
Postpublished at 85 mins
Argentina 3-0 Croatia
Five minutes of normal time left.
Croatia are still plugging away and win a corner.
Can they at least grab one last moment to enjoy in Qatar?