Argentina vs Croatia Semi Final Highlights: Argentina beat Croatia 3-0 to enter the final
THE TIMES OF INDIA | Dec 14, 2022, 03:06:55 IST
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Argentina vs Croatia Semi Final Highlights: Argentina beat Croatia 3-0 to enter the final
Two goals by swashbuckling striker Julian Alvarez and a Lionel Messi penalty gave Argentina a 3-0 victory over 2018 runners-up Croatia in the first World Cup semi-final on Wednesday to set up a showpiece meeting with France or Morocco on Sunday.
01:53 (IST) Dec 14
62' - Good ball into the Argentina six-yard box from the free-kick. A weak header from Lovren in front of the goal and Argentina somehow clears it out to safety after a scramble.
01:52 (IST) Dec 14
62' - SUBSTITUTION! Change for Argentina: Lisandro Martinez replaces Paredes
01:51 (IST) Dec 14
61' - Free-kick for Croatia for a foul on Petkovic
01:48 (IST) Dec 14
58' - SAVE! Croatia keeper Livakovic makes a good save to deny Messi from a close range and tight angle. Good move from Argentina.
01:47 (IST) Dec 14
57' - A rare holding of the ball around the Croatia box by Argentina forwards in the second half. They though failed to create a clear chance on goal.
01:44 (IST) Dec 14
53' - Croatia are looking hard for a clear opening in and around the Argentina goal. The South American side is defending in numbers and looking for counter attacks.
50' - SUBSTITUTION! Change for Croatia: Petkovic replaces Brozovic
01:39 (IST) Dec 14
49' - Paredes goes for a long ranger, more than 30 yards out, but it goes straight to Croatia keeper Livakovic.
01:38 (IST) Dec 14
47' - Modric's cross into the Argentina six-yard box is caught calmly by keeper Martinez.
01:37 (IST) Dec 14
47' - Free-kick for Croatia on the right side -- 25 yards out
01:36 (IST) Dec 14
* Halftime changes for Croatia: Vlasic and Orsic replace Pasalic and Sosa
01:35 (IST) Dec 14
Second half gets underway at Lusail stadium...
01:33 (IST) Dec 14
Poll
Can Croatia make a comeback in the second half?
01:28 (IST) Dec 14
Pic: Argentina's Julian Alvarez celebrates scoring their second goal with Lionel Messi and Nahuel Molina
(Reuters Photo)
01:22 (IST) Dec 14
Advantage Argentina at break!
Goals from Messi and Alvarez give Argentina a half-time lead! 👊 #FIFAWorldCup | #ARG #HRV
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) 1670961154000
01:20 (IST) Dec 14
HT - Argentina lead Croatia 2-0 at the halftime break
Lionel Messi scored from the spot before Julian Alvarez grabbed another with a fantastic solo run to give Argentina a 2-0 lead over Croatia at halftime in the first World Cup semi-final tonight. Argentina won the penalty in the 32nd minute when goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic tried to deny Alvarez, who was through on goal, bringing down the Manchester City forward and getting booked in the process. Messi stepped up and made no mistake, firing the spot kick into the top corner for his 11th goal in World Cups, the most by any Argentina player in the tournament's history. Five minutes later, Alvarez picked up the ball near the half line from a Messi pass and went on a magical run through the Croatian defence, going past three defenders and enjoying some lucky rebounds before stabbing the ball past Livakovic for 2-0.
01:19 (IST) Dec 14
48' - Perisic's cross from the left flank goes wide of the Argentina goal, hitting the top netting.
01:16 (IST) Dec 14
45' - 4 minutes added as stoppage time
01:14 (IST) Dec 14
43' - This time, Messi's delivery is punched out to safety by Croatia keeper Livakovic.
01:13 (IST) Dec 14
42' - SAVE! Croatia keeper Livakovic makes a good diving save to deny Mac Allister a goal. Another corner for Argentina.