Argentina captain Lionel Messi says Sunday's final will be the last World Cup game of his career.

The 35-year-old forward scored his fifth goal of Qatar 2022 and helped set up two others in Tuesday's 3-0 semi-final win over Croatia.

Playing in his fifth World Cup, Messi has never won the game's biggest prize.

"I am very happy for finishing my journey in World Cups in a final, to play the last game in a final. That is really very gratifying," he said.

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In 1986, the World Cup was televised for the first time in Bangladesh.

The sight of Diego Maradona jinking his way past one England player after another to score one of the great World Cup goals lit a torch in the country that still burns brightly today.

Throughout the Qatar World Cup, thousands of fans have turned out at mass viewing sites on the streets of Dhaka and other Bangladeshi cities to watch the matches - but the crowds are never bigger than when Argentina are playing.

Below are some of the scenes from Tuesday night's semi-final victory over Croatia.

Looks like quite a party!

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

AJ: Messi will get the headlines, but Argentina look a very strong team. A comfortable victory at the end. After nearly 40 years of waiting - could this be the year. One step away from becoming World Cup winners.

I could drool over this all day.

A reminder that Messi was born in June 1987.

Pablo Zabaleta
Ex-Man City and Argentina defender on BBC Radio 5 Live

You can see the influence of Lionel Messi and it is incredible what he is doing at the age 35 - still quick and sharp, strong on the ball. It looks like every time he gets on the ball, something will happen.

What he did last night against [Croatia's Josko] Gvardiol, one of the best young centre-backs in this World Cup, was just incredible. That turn and pass to Julian Alvarez, who has also been incredible. I am just so happy to see Argentina in a World Cup final again.

Fans lined the streets on Tuesday in Lionel Messi's second home.

Following Argentina's win, crowds in Barcelona took up the chant that has become the team's unofficial anthem at this World Cup: "Muchachos, Ahora Nos Volvimos a Ilusionar" (“Boys, We Have Our Hopes Up Again”).

What a tournament Alexis Mac Allister is having.

The Brighton midfielder is one win away from being a World Cup winner.

Mac Allister has played a key role in Argentina's run to the final, scoring in the group win against Poland.

Image source, Reuters

Image source, Reuters

Image source, Reuters

Brighton fans, how excited are you this morning?

By Monday morning, you could have a World Cup winner in your team!

Pablo Zabaleta
Ex-Man City and Argentina defender on BBC Radio 5 Live

Image source, Reuters

Personally, I would like to see France play Argentina in the final. Messi v Mbappe. For the spectators it would be a great game to watch.

But I have to show big respect to Morocco because they deserve it. If they make the final, it would be an incredible achievement for an African team.

Alex: For those complaining previously why all the Messi worship, I think that performance explains it, utter filth of an assist.

It's 6am in Buenos Aires. How's the hangover?

Argentina are in the World Cup final but who will they be playing in Sunday's showpiece?

We're 10 hours from kick-off between France and Morocco.

Image source, .

Praise for Messi from an England Euro champion.

Pablo Zabaleta
Ex-Man City and Argentina defender on BBC Radio 5 Live

Image source, Rex Features

Imagine what it [his partnership with Lionel Messi] means for Julian Alvarez, when he looks at that picture and thinks 'that was 10 years ago and now I am playing with the best player in the world at a World Cup'.

What a moment for Julian.

He looks so mature and I am so pleased in the way he has been playing. He was on the bench, Erling Haaland was playing more games and he was always waiting for that chance.

I saw Pep [Guardiola] during pre-season in the USA and I asked him about Julian and he said 'I am so happy with him, he is an incredible guy and works really hard'.

In this World Cup he did not start in the first game, but then the manager gave him a chance and he took it really well. Now he has scored four goals and was one of the best players on the field in the semi-final. Well done for him.

Pablo Zabaleta
Ex-Man City and Argentina defender on BBC Radio 5 Live

I stopped playing two years ago at the age Lionel Messi is now, and he is having his best World Cup. It is incredible. He has been amazing.

I think every single football fan on the planet has been enjoying every single minute of Messi in this World Cup.

I meet people who say 'we support our country, but if we cannot achieve victory in this World Cup then we support Argentina because of Messi'.

Pete: That build up for the third goal surely has to be the assist of the tournament!

Sunday: 'It's end of the world' - Sunday Express following England's World Cup exit.

Wednesday: 'Out of this world' - Daily Express following Argentina's Lionel Messi-inspired win over Croatia.

Image source, .

Pablo Zabaleta
Ex-Man City and Argentina defender on BBC Radio 5 Live

I used to hate doing one-on-one against Lionel Messi [in training with Argentina]. Sometimes you do this kind of training and believe me, when I saw Messi coming with the ball it was like 'here we go again'.

You don't want to hurt Messi, you don't want to make any tackle on him and injure your best player. So it was just like 'OK Messi, I will let you past, you score, I keep you happy'.