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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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Argentina 2-0 Croatia
Alan Shearer
Former England striker on BBC Radio 5 Live
Alvarez ran from the halfway line, Messi managed to get the ball to him. There were two or three defenders ahead of him, not one of them could get the contact on the ball that they wanted.
The ball fell to him not once but twice and then he just clips it over the goalkeeper. What a run, what a finish.
Image source, Getty ImagesArgentina 2-0 Croatia
Argentina are buzzing now.
They win a corner via Rodrigo de Paul's deflected shot. They want a penalty, but Josko Gvardiol's arm was down by his side.
Argentina 2-0 Croatia
Andy Cryer
BBC Sport in Qatar
What. A . Goal. (Maybe a tad lucky)
This place has just erupted.
Julian Alvarez
IT'S ALL COMING UP ARGENTINA!
From one end to the other. Croatia mess up a short corner, with Marcelo Brozovic's cross cut out.
In a flash, Argentina are away. Julian Alvarez's run won the penalty, this one sees him drive right through the heart of the Croatia defence. He has a little bit of luck at the end with Borna Sosa unable to clear, but once in on goal, his flicked finish is superb.
Image source, Getty ImagesArgentina 1-0 Croatia
Shamoon Hafez
BBC Sport at Lusail Stadium
Image source, BBC SportJust look at him, the little magician with that wand of a left boot.
He always looks like his kit is one size too big for him, like when I struggle to find the right one for my one year old.
T-shirt and shorts hanging off her.
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Now that's what Harry Kane tried to do
David, London
Argentina 1-0 Croatia
Alan Shearer
Former England striker on BBC Radio 5 Live
It was very unlike Croatia to leave themselves so open at the back. Alvarez was one v one against Livakovic. There had been no space whatsoever before that for any forward.
Argentina 1-0 Croatia
Croatia respond. They win a corner.
Argentina 1-0 Croatia
That is now 11 World Cup goals for Messi. No Argentina player has more. He tries to get away for another attack, but Borna Sosa is there to tackle.
Argentina 1-0 Croatia
Only one set of fans singing now.
Argentina 1-0 Croatia
Rob Green
Former England goalkeeper on BBC Radio 5 Live
The ref had to give as soon as Livakovic commits. Once Alvarez gets that nick, Livakovic knows he hasn't won the ball. It was a clea contact, there's not a lot he could do.
Brilliant penalty from Messi, almost Shearer-esque. He did go the same side as we saw against the Netherlands but he went a lot higher.
From that as a goalkeeper, as soon as you commit to the dive, you can't get up, you can't get high. You run the risk of it going over the bar but if you get it right, unstoppable.
Argentina 1-0 Croatia
As I mentioned in the build-up, Croatia don't score first in this World Cup. They're in a semi-final, though. They won't panic.
Argentina 1-0 Croatia
Excluding shootouts, only Eusebio (4 for Portugal in 1966) and Rob Rensenbrink (4 for Netherlands in 1978) have scored more penalties at a single World Cup tournament than the three Lionel Messi has netted at the 2022 edition.
Argentina 1-0 Croatia
Andy Cryer
BBC Sport in Qatar
Not much doubt about the awarding of the penalty and absolutely no doubt from Lionel Messi.
Emphatic. The game needed that.
Image source, Getty ImagesLionel Messi
What a penalty!
The little man steps up and gives Livakovic zero chance! It's fierce, rising and slapped into the top corner.
Messi has been floating like a butterfly through this game so far. But he's just stung like a bee.
Image source, Getty ImagesArgentina 0-0 Croatia
Alan Shearer
Former England striker on BBC Radio 5 Live
What a run from Alvarez, he find himself clear. It's wide open for him. He dinks it over the goalkeeper and Livakovic trips him. For me, it was the right decision.
Image source, Getty ImagesArgentina 0-0 Croatia
Dominik Livakovic is also booked for the foul.
He has to dust himself off and try to stop this Messi penalty.
We've seen already he knows how to save a spot-kick...
Argentina 0-0 Croatia
Lionel Messi's last five penalties.
Image source, OptaArgentina 0-0 Croatia
The game's first big moment!
Moments after Ivan Perisic dinks a shot over the Argentina bar, Julian Alvarez breaks past the Croatia defence. Out comes the keeper and clatters the forward. It's a clear pen and the chance for you know who to stamp his mark on the game...
Image source, Getty ImagesArgentina 0-0 Croatia
Andy Cryer
BBC Sport in Qatar
You just can't tell if Lionel Messi is struggling here or not...
Any other player you would think he must be injured as walking around so much. But that is just Messi.
He was definitely feeling something though.
Image source, Getty Images