Argentina vs Croatia 3-0: World Cup 2022 – as it happened
All the updates from the World Cup semi-final between Argentina and Croatia at Lusail Stadium.
This blog is now closed, thanks for joining us. These were the updates on the Argentina vs Croatia World Cup 2022 match on Tuesday, December 13.
This blog is now closed, thanks for joining us. These were the updates on the Argentina vs Croatia World Cup 2022 match on Tuesday, December 13.
- Argentina XI: Martinez, Molina (Foyth, 86′), Romero, Otamendi, Tagliafico, De Paul (Palacios, 74′) Paredes (Lisandro Martinez, 62′), Fernandez, Mac Allister (Correa, 86′), Messi, Alvarez (Dybala, 74′).
- Croatia XI: Livakovic, Juranovic, Lovren, Gvardiol, Sosa (Orsic, 46′), Modric (Majer, 81′), Brozovic (Petkovic, 50′), Kovacic, Pasalic (Vlasic, 46′), Kramaric (Livaja, 72′), Perisic.
- Lionel Messi has been involved in six of Argentina’s nine goals in the tournament.
- In major competitions since 2018, Croatia have yet to win a knockout game in normal time.
- Argentina topped their group, and Croatia finished second in their group behind Morocco.
- Both sides have two wins in five head-to-head matches.
- Live updates
- Match stats
- Lineups
It’s a wrap
We began this World Cup journey back on November 20 with 32 teams hoping for glory. Now, we have just three remaining.
For large swathes of the first half, Croatia looked to be very much in control with their tried-and-tested methods of holding possession and passing with absolute precision.
But once the chains were broken through the awarded penalty, Argentina began to wrest back control and started playing with the kind of confidence that could take down any side in their path.
Destiny has ensured Messi will feature in the final but who he awaits will only be decided tomorrow when France and Morocco lock horns in a tantalising matchup.
We hope you will join us for that one, but before you head off, make sure to check out our detailed report of today’s fascinating encounter.
Damian Martinez: ‘We have 45 million Argentinians behind us’
Argentina goalkeeper Damian Martinez was asked to share his views after the match: “I can’t believe it. We lost the first game [against Saudi Arabia], [and] all of a sudden everything is upside down. People doubting us.”
“It was us against the rest of the world. I’m so glad with this group of 26 players. They are all fighters, and we have 45 million Argentinians behind us.”
For a place in the #FIFAWorldCup final.
Good luck, @EmiMartinezz1 and @Argentina! 👊 pic.twitter.com/l4JQBOdQnR
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) December 13, 2022
Messi: ‘We know what we are’
Soon after the match, Messi was asked to share his thoughts: “I don’t know if it’s my best World Cup or not. I’ve been enjoying this a lot for a long time.
“We were confident that this group was going to pull it off. We know what we are and we ask the people to believe in us.”
From one great to another
Lionel Messi & Luka Modric. 🇦🇷🇭🇷 pic.twitter.com/BwaXc2MLlr
— 𝐀𝐅𝐂 𝐀𝐉𝐀𝐗 💎 (@TheEuropeanLad) December 13, 2022
Argentina fans go wild at packed fan zone
Messi within touching distance
I’ll be there#Messi #Maradona #FIFAWorldCup #ARGCRO #Argentina pic.twitter.com/i58KzUcI82
— Omar Momani (@omomani) December 13, 2022
Messi mastery
Lionel Messi vs. Croatia:
90 minutes played
63 touches
2 shots (100% accuracy)
1 goal
34 passes (85% accuracy)
2 key passes
2 big chances created
1 assistUnplayable 🔥 #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/v5q6jYTKf4
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) December 13, 2022
Argentina continue to rewrite history
3 – Argentina (3-0) recorded the largest victory of any team in a World Cup semi-final without conceding a goal. Brilliant. #ARGCRO pic.twitter.com/pEFXyBEAy9
— OptaJean (@OptaJean) December 13, 2022
Full-time
The referee blows the final whistle and Argentina players celebrate as they now head to the World Cup final on December 18.
Croatia players look disappointed as their un-fancied run finally comes to a close at the hands of the South Americans.
Four years ago, Croatia stunned the world by beating Argentina 3-0 during the group stages.
Tonight, however, belongs to La Albiceleste as Messi takes one step closer to the promised land.
Full-time: Argentina 3-0 Croatia
Croatia win right side corner
It is taken quickly but doesn’t have enough elevation as the ball is headed out of danger.
90+3 mins: Argentina 3-0 Croatia
Argentinian players in the dugout beginning to celebrate
The Argentina players down by the touchline are starting to get involved in the festivities as they are just minutes away from securing a second trip to a World Cup final in three successive tournaments.
90+2 mins: Argentina 3-0 Croatia
Five minutes of stoppage time
The fourth official has signalled for an additional five minutes of stoppage time.
90 mins: Argentina 3-0 Croatia
Argentina make double substitution
Molina and Mac Allister come off for Angel Correa and Juan Foyth.
88 mins: Argentina 3-0 Croatia
Croatia corner almost leads to a goal
The corner is taken from the right side, but dips earlier than expected.
Perisic spots this and gets under it.
The ball loops over to Lovren, who tries to get a boot on it at the far post, but is unable to make any contact.
86 mins: Argentina 3-0 Croatia
Mac Allister attempt just wide
After a quick counter is initiated, the ball finds Mac Allister in the right side of the box.
He decides to go for goal, but is just wide off the upright.
84 mins: Argentina 3-0 Croatia
Last glimpse of Modric?
The 37-year-old Real Madrid midfielder is beckoned off the field as his replacement Lovro Majer rushes on.
Is this the final time we will see Modric in a Croatia uniform though?
83 mins: Argentina 3-0 Croatia
Croatia visibly stunned
Since the third goal, Croatia have looked to be going through the motions out there as the reality of their situation comes to the fore.
Argentina will want to hang on and manage the clock as we enter the final 10 minutes.
80 mins: Argentina 3-0 Croatia
‘Messi, Messi, Messi’ rings around Lusail Stadium
It feels like the roof is about to come off the stadium. Surely, Croatia can’t mount a comeback.
The Argentina fans are cheering loudly. They are singing “Messi, Messi, Messi.”
They feel they are almost there – booked into Sunday’s final.
Croatia undone by Messi magic
Croatia have conceded as many goals against Argentina (3), as they had in the whole tournament up to this point.
Undone. 💢 pic.twitter.com/C68L6aJ4ZS
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) December 13, 2022
Changes made by both sides
With Croatia three down now, off comes Kramaric for Marko Livaja.
And not too far behind, Argentina decide to bring on Exequiel Palacios and Paulo Dybala for Alvarez and De Paul.
75 mins: Argentina 3-0 Croatia
Messi magic sets up Alvarez finish
Messi puts on a masterclass here as he rushes down near the right touchline, with Gvardiol hot on his heels.
He manages to keep the Croatian at bay despite numerous prods and pokes.
Messi makes it all the way to the penalty box, and as he nears the near post on the right side, he sees Alvarez slightly open.
The number 10 slips in a quick pass and Alvarez is able to slot it past the right of the keeper to put Argentina one step closer to the World Cup final.
71 mins: Argentina 3-0 Croatia
GOAL!
Messi, at the end of an incredible solo effort, manages to find Alvarez to make it 3-0 for Argentina.
71 mins: Argentina 3-0 Croatia
Romero booked
Not like it will make a massive difference since all yellow cards from the quarterfinals and prior have been wiped out for the semifinals and on.
69 mins: Argentina 2-0 Croatia
Match delicately balanced
Argentina continue to hold the fort down on their end, despite numerous Croatia advances.
However, if there is any space afforded then Argentina are quick to act, but have not been able to add to their advantage thus far.
68 mins: Argentina 2-0 Croatia
Croatia fans in shock
The Croatia fans are mostly in the stand behind the Argentina goalkeeper.
They have been very quiet. There has been no whistling or booing of the opposition stopper even when their team is attacking Argentina’s goal.
They still seem to be in shock, but their team will need their support if they are to turn things around.