Argentina have one foot in the World Cup after an impressive first-half display.
Lionel Messi put Argentina one goal up after powering home a penalty against Croatia in the opening half, which was then immediately followed by a mazey run from Julian Alvarez who poked it past the goalkeeper.
It was a tense start to proceedings, Croatia looked happy to sit back while Argentina revved the engine and put them under pressure. Messi looked sharp as he danced between Croatia’s laboured lunges.
Argentina were awarded a penalty after Julian Alvarez was clattered into by goalkeeper Dominik Livaković, who was lucky to only receive a yellow card.
Who else but Messi to step up and drive the penalty into the top corner.
Argentina have one foot in the final… and it’s that man again!! 🤩🇦🇷
Lionel Messi overtakes Gabriel Batistuta as Argentina’s top scorer at World Cup finals with 11 goals! 🙌#ITVFootball | #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/C8haTlVGb1
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) December 13, 2022
Only a few minutes later the penalty winner, Alvarez, went on a powering run forward skipping past the defenders and getting two lucky breaks.
Little bit of luck, but he won’t mind! 🙌
Julian Alvarez bags his third goal at this World Cup to put Argentina 2-0 up!! 🇦🇷
Croatia are going to need a stellar second half to turn this around… 😬#ITVFootball | #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/WRtfQmKHY7
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) December 13, 2022
Croatia could be in deep trouble here, they need to pull their socks up or this could be out of reach before they know it.
Argentina did throw away a 2-0 lead against the Netherlands in their last game so who knows.