Qatar 2022: Vintage Messi Leads Argentina To World Cup Final

• As Croatia crumble to 3-0 defeat in Lusail 
• Messi eyes record 26th World Cup appearance on Sunday

Captain fantastic, Lionel Messi rolled back the years in an astonishing fashion as he propelled Argentina into the World Cup final holding on Sunday in Qatar.

Opening scores for the South American champions from the penalty spot in the 34th minute, the football legend was actively involved as the Lionel Scaloni’s side made light work triumphing 3-0 over Croatia in Lusail for their sixth appearance in a World Cup final clash.

About four minutes after Messi opened scoring from the penalty spot, Julian Alvarez doubled the advantage with an excellent run from Nahuel Molina

However, it was Messi’s dazzling dribble for Alvarez’s second goal that drew top praise. Defying age, logic and the Croatian defence, the Albiceleste Captain impeccably created the assist by destroying Croatia’s Josko Gvardiol, touted by many as the best defender at this World Cup.

For the former Barcelona captain, who now plies his trade in France with PSG, his record-equalling 25th World Cup appearance, made yet more history as he became the first man since records began in 1966 to score and assist in the same World Cup game for the fourth time.

Interestingly, his 26th World Cup appearance will be a final where he will have the chance to win the Golden Ball, the Golden Boot and the trophy that would remove any lingering doubt over the identity of the greatest player of all time.

To think that Messi had never scored a goal in a World Cup knockout game until coming to Qatar, now he has one in a last 16 match, a quarter-final and a semi-final.

Getting Argentina’s first goal on Tuesday night, Messi broke Gabriel Batistuta’s record of 11 World Cup goals for Argentina. What a tournament he is having now: five goals and four assists represent his golden part in Argentina’s 12 goals so far.

The Argentines have done well overcoming their opening 1-2 loss to Saudi Arabia in Lusail and as the curtains draw to a close on Sunday back here in Lusail, the million dollar poser by football pundits and fans alike is; “Will Messi emulate Diego Maradona, in Argentina’s sixth World Cup final?”

Going by the record books, only Germany with eight (8) appearances and Brazil with seven (7) appearances are the two nations that have made it to the finals more times than Argentina.

On Sunday, Argentina will play the winner of France and Morocco in the final. Though anyone that emerges from the two may yet have a say on the night, make no mistake, this is Messi’s 1986. If he is going to own a World Cup, it will surely be this one.