Lionel Messi, Alvarez team up to help Argentina defeat Croatia by 3-0 to cruise to World Cup final

With this victory in the  Lusail Stadium, Argentina ensured they will now play the sixth final in the history of the showpiece tournament.

In his trophy laden career, Messi will now get the last chance to win the World Cup which has eluded him so far.

Argentina will now face either France or Morocco, the surprise semi-finalists, in the final of the tournament.

Messi was the first person to help Argentina 1-0 up in the match when the football icon converted a penalty in the 34th minute of the game.

The penalty was handed over to Argentina after Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic committed a foul on the marauding Alvarez.

Five minutes later, Alvarez scored the second goal for Argentina to take 2-0 lead in the match.

Guided by Messi, Alvarez scored the third goal in the 69th minute of the game to end all hopes of Croatia to play the second consecutive final.

France had defeated Croatia in the 2018 final to lift the World Cup.

Interestingly, France will have yet another chance to reach the final of the tournament this year.

In 2014, Messi had lost the oppurtunity to lift the title when Argentina lost the final clash against Germany in the World Cup final.