Lionel Messi’s quest for an elusive World Cup triumph is just one step from completion after he inspired Argentina to a 3-0 win over Croatia on Tuesday that secured their place in the final.

Croatia had proven stern opposition when eliminating Brazil in the previous round, but they crashed out at Lusail Stadium as Argentina continued their impressive record of never losing a World Cup semi-final.

Messi was key, putting Argentina ahead from the penalty spot to become his country’s all-time leading World Cup goalscorer with 11, then playing a role in Julian Alvarez’s somewhat fortuitous second.

There was nothing lucky about Argentina’s third goal in the second half, as Messi’s brilliant solo run teed up Alvarez to put the game beyond doubt.

Neither side looked willing commit many bodies forward early on, but a rare defensive lapse handed Argentina the initiative just past the half-hour mark.

Dejan Lovren played Alvarez onside before Dominik Livakovic collided with the striker to concede a penalty, which Messi slammed into the top-right corner.

It was 2-0 five minutes later following some poor Croatia defending.

Messi’s pass released Alvarez on the counter-attack, and he stabbed home from close range after running half the length of the pitch and profiting from three ricochets in the Croatia box.

Argentina sat back more after the break and Croatia struggled to find a way through, with goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez largely untroubled.

Any hope of a Croatia comeback was emphatically ended 21 minutes from time.

Messi darted past Josko Gvardiol on the right, checked back, and then beat him again around the outside before cutting back to the grateful Alvarez, who applied the finish.

What does it mean? Messi the difference as luck deserts Croatia

Runners-up in Russia four years ago, Croatia will be left frustrated after failing to do themselves justice.

The first Argentina goal came after Croatia should have been given a corner at the other end, and their second somehow followed a succession of ricochets and a failed clearance by the unbalanced Borna Sosa.

Argentina were ruthless, taking full advantage of those two situations. As for the third goal, it was simply the work of a genius. Perhaps World Cup glory is Messi’s destiny.

Messi rises to the occasion

Messi’s had better games, certainly, but this was so efficient.

The captain played a key part in all three goals, and his run in the lead up to the third will be replayed endlessly over the next few days – and beyond no doubt.

Tireless Alvarez a big asset

Messi was of course influential in most of Argentina’s most threatening moves, but Alvarez deserves a lot of credit for his performance.

The powerful striker’s runs inspired both of his goals, and while he clearly got lucky when making it 2-0, he certainly earned his fortune.

Key Opta facts

– Argentina have reached the World Cup final for a sixth time. Only Germany have reached more finals in the competition, having done so on eight occasions.
– Since the 1966 edition, only the Netherlands – one versus Argentina in 2014 – have had fewer shots on target in a World Cup semi-final than Croatia’s two in this game.
– Messi became the first Argentina player to score in five different matches in a single edition of the World Cup. He also equalled Germany great Lothar Matthaus’ record of 25 World Cup appearances.
– The Argentina skipper became the first player since the 1966 tournament to both score and assist in four separate World Cup matches – doing so versus Serbia in 2006, then against Mexico, the Netherlands and Croatia in Qatar.

What’s next?

Argentina will return to Lusail on Sunday to face either France or Morocco, who tussle at Al Bayt Stadium on Wednesday. Croatia will play the loser in the third-place play-off in four days’ time.