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Stefan Tonev
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Messi fires Argentina into World Cup final
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Argentina’s captain was in sparkling form at Lusail Stadium.

Leo Messi’s lifelong dream of guiding Argentina to their third World Cup title remained alive as he produced one of his magical displays to inspire La Albiceleste to a 3-0 win over Croatia at the Lusail Stadium on Tuesday and fire his side into Sunday’s final.

The 35-year-old Paris Saint-Germain star put Argentina ahead from the penalty spot in the 34th minute after fellow forward Julian Alvarez was brought down by goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic.

Messi become Argentina’s all-time World Cup top scorer with 11 goals before Alvarez added a second five minutes following a magnificent 50-metre solo run.

The duo combined once again for Argentina’s third goal midway through the second half when Messi toyed with Croatia’s Josko Gvardiol out wide before driving past him into the box and laying on a pass for Alvarez to slot home.

Messi fires Argentina into World Cup final 1

The 2018 runners-up Croatia were toothless throughout and registered just a single shot on target. They paid the price for some atypically poor defending as they went out in the last four for the second time after their 1998 loss to France in their maiden tournament.

Argentina will now look to lift a third world crown after triumphs in 1978 and 1986. They last appeared in a final in 2014, when they were beaten 1-0 by Germany.

Clinching the trophy would also elevate seven-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi to the mythical status that the late Diego Maradona enjoys in the South American country.

The final could mark his last appearance at the World Cup as the ex-Barcelona forward having hinted the 2022 edition will be his last.

“A lot is going through my head – it’s very emotional seeing all of this,” Messi,  who won Player of the match award, said in a post-match interview on the field.

“To see the fans – ‘the family’ – during the whole tournament was so incredible. We’re going to the final, which is what we wanted.”

On Sunday, Argentina will face either defending champions France or surprise package Morocco, the first Arab and African country to make it to a World Cup semifinal.