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

  • Get Involved: #bbcfootball, text 81111 (UK only – texts will be charged at your standard message rate), or text your comments via WhatsApp on 03301231826

Live Reporting

Phil Dawkes

  1. Argentina 3-0 Croatia

    Shamoon Hafez
    BBC Sport at Lusail Stadium

    Another Lionel Messi masterclass.

    Argentina fans are bouncing in the stands, they can really enjoy this procession to the final now.

  2. 'Sensational from Messi to Alvarez'

    Argentina 3-0 Croatia

    Alan Shearer
    Former England striker on BBC Radio 5 Live

    Absolutely sensational from Lionel Messi. We talked about his ability to go past defenders. He picks his head up in such a tight situation. The understanding and the relationship that he has with Alvarez.

    Thank you very much, have a tap in. For all the work he has done, he deserves that. What a goal. I am lost for words. So many times you see different players get into that position and not make that pass. He puts it on a plate for Alvarez who stick it away perfectly.

    Julian Alvarez celebratesGetty Images

  3. Argentina 3-0 Croatia

    Oh, by the way, this tie is over now. Argentina are going to be World Cup finalists. Only Messi can make that a secondary headline.

  4. Argentina 3-0 Croatia

    I think we can all agree we've just seen something truly special from probably the best player ever to play this game.

    Treasure it.

    Lionel Messi celebratesGetty Images

  5. Argentina 3-0 Croatia

    Andy Cryer
    BBC Sport in Qatar

    I think Lionel Messi is ok you know...

  6. goal

    GOAL - Argentina 3-0 Croatia

    Julian Alvarez

    IT'S ALVAREZ! BUT ALSO, MESSI!

    Julian Alvarez does the easy bit with a close-range finish into the Croatia net. Lionel Messi does all the heavy lifting.

    He gathers the ball on the left, with Josko Gvardiol at his back. The same Gvardiol considered by many to be the best defender at this World Cup. Messi carries the ball, stuck to his boot, down the touchline. He stops, he waits, he turns and goes again along the byline, leaving Gvardiol in his dust. The low cross is perfect, just like all the rest of it.

    Julian Alvarez scores Argentina's third goalGetty Images

  7. 'Croatia not asking any different questions'

    Argentina 2-0 Croatia

    Rob Green
    Former England goalkeeper on BBC Radio 5 Live

    It's all in front of Argentina from Croatia, there's no running in behind. No defenders are having to turn their heads, they're not asking any different questions. They've still not had a shot on target.

  8. YELLOW CARD

    Argentina 2-0 Croatia

    Argentina are managing the contest well. There are some dark arts at play of course. A bit of timewasting here, a dive and professional foul there. But this is a World Cup semi-final. It has to be done.

    Cristian Romero commits a foul too many, though, and is booked.

  9. Argentina 2-0 Croatia

    To be fair, the one thing Man City could really do with now is a prolific striker.

    Erling HaalandGetty Images

  10. Get Involved - What will Guardiola do with Alvarez?

    Text 81111 (UK only - standard message rates apply)

    Can’t wait to see Pep can do with Alvarez.

    Nigel

  11. Argentina 2-0 Croatia

    Luka Modric is on the losing side here, but continues to ooze class. A clearance drops to him and he is under pressure, but a touch and a flick later he is carrying the ball clear.

  12. Get Involved

    Text 81111 (UK only - standard message rates apply)

    Let it go Christian (see 20:04 GMT). You know that's not true. Argentina and Croatia would both beat England. As would Morocco.

    Ant, B'ham

  13. 'One pass is all it takes'

    Argentina 2-0 Croatia

    Rob Green
    Former England goalkeeper on BBC Radio 5 Live

    You get the feeling that the game is poised as such that it is one good pass away from either being on a cliffhanger or over.

    The way that Croatia are pressing, can they find that bit of quality into the box? Argentina, can they exploit the gaps. It's one pass, that's all it is.

  14. Argentina 2-0 Croatia

    A goal is a goal at the end of the day, but how big a caveat do you put on penalties, no matter how well they are smashed home?

    Lionel Messi scores a penalty for ArgentinaGetty Images

  15. Argentina 2-0 Croatia

    Before this tournament in Qatar Lionel Messi had never scored in a World Cup knock-out game. He has now scored in a last 16 match, a quarter-final and a semi-final.

  16. Argentina 2-0 Croatia

    It was Lovren in the thick of it for the free-kick, but Nicolas Otamendi and Emi Martinez did all the hard defensive work.

    Emi Martinez saves a header from Dejan LovrenGetty Images

  17. Argentina 2-0 Croatia

    Scramble!

    This is a better delivery. It sparks panic in the box after Dejan Lovren wins the initial header, but blocks and touches take the ball to Argentina boot to hack clear.

  18. 'Alvarez puts a shift in'

    Argentina 2-0 Croatia

    Alan Shearer
    Former England striker on BBC Radio 5 Live

    Alvarez has been magnificent, he doesn't half do his shift for the team, defensively as well. The way he puts defenders and midfielders under pressure.

    He does a lot of Messi's running for him, when Messi is walking around, he is the one that is hurrying and hassling defenders and midfielders to force them into that error.

    Julian Alvarez tracks backGetty Images

  19. Argentina 2-0 Croatia

    Argentina make a change first. Lisandro Martinez for Leandro Paredes. Another man at the back.

  20. Argentina 2-0 Croatia

    Free-kick to Croatia. It's in Argentina territory, wide left. Can they make this count?