Lionel Messi and Julian Alvarez helped Argentina defeat Croatia with a 3–0 win in the World Cup semifinals on Tuesday, advancing them to the World Cup Final. Messi scored the first point to become Argentina’s all-time leading goal scorer at World Cup finals, and Alvarez completed a direct solo run through Croatia’s defense to help double Argentina’s lead before half-time. Argentina have won the World Cup in 1978 and 1986, and with Tuesday’s win will advance to Sunday’s final where they will face either France or Morocco, who play on Wednesday.

Said Messi: “Throughout the World Cup it has been incredible what we have experienced. We are going to play the final which is what we wanted … I don’t know if it’s my best World Cup, it’s been a long time I’ve been enjoying. This team is crazy. We are going to play one more final, we are going to enjoy all of this.” Messi added: “We have gone through some tough situations, some very good ones. Today we are experiencing something spectacular … I’m enjoying it with all these people and with all the Argentinians who are in our country. I imagine it must be crazy.”

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