Argentina – Croatia – 3:0
The semifinal between Argentina and Croatia shaped up as a clash of competing narratives: a high-stakes, physical duel on one side and a showcase of individual brilliance on the other. Fans anticipated a tight, grind-it-out affair with limited scoring chances, yet the game quickly revealed a clear arc: Argentina rising on the back of a magnetic performance from their captain and talisman.
In this World Cup, Lionel Messi carried more than personal glory. He steered a disciplined Argentina outfit and, alongside his teammates, carried the weight of expectation. Against Croatia, Messi’s influence was evident, though the Croatian players—led by Luka Modric—also showed moments of quality and resilience. The meeting marked the teams’ third competitive clash in recent memory, following earlier fixtures where Croatia had taken the upper hand in friendlies and the group stage in Russia ended with Croatia recording a triumphant win and a 3–0 finish, amplified by the noteworthy impact of Modric. Both sides advanced to the knockout rounds, with Croatia applying sharper fire in the later stages of the event.
From the opening minutes, Dalic’s squad showed sharper intent, pressing higher and looking to dictate the tempo. The Croatian build-up carried a sense of purpose, while Argentina remained compact and patient, waiting for the right moment to strike. By the 25th minute, Enzo Fernandez tested the Croatian goalkeeper with a long-range effort that forced a reaction, the ball skimming off the turf and creating a moment of alertness in the box.
Then, in the 32nd minute, a direct sequence cut through the defense. An attempt to close down the attack ended with a controlled finish that beat the goalkeeper. The ball bounced narrowly across the line, and the referee signaled a penalty. A caution followed for a player involved, as the official signaled the infraction and clarified the sequence for the players on the pitch. Messi lined up a decisive touch, guiding the ball toward the far post with precision. Although the Croatian keeper anticipated the shot, he could not reach it in time, and the ball found the back of the net.
Argentina took the lead, and the arena held its breath for several minutes as Croatia regrouped. The breakthrough did not stall the Argentine momentum, and the next phase demonstrated the attack’s efficiency. A swift combination released Alvarez into space, and his finish beat the well-positioned Livakovic at close range after a subtle touch against Yuranovich and Sosa in the buildup. The goal accentuated Argentina’s quick transition play and punished the visitors’ momentary lapse in defense.
Despite the setback, Croatia did not fold. They regained some rhythm late in the first half, showing encouraging signs of a potential comeback. The half ended with the impression that Croatia had learned from earlier campaigns in the tournament and could still influence the result in the second half. The context of prior quarterfinals—where Argentina briefly faltered against the Netherlands and Croatia fought back against Brazil—added a layer of intrigue to the match’s trajectory.
After the break, changes in the Croatian lineup brought new energy. Orsic, Vlasic, and later Petkovic entered the fray in an effort to alter the attacking dynamic. Livakovic remained vigilant, foiling several attempts and keeping the scoreline within reach. A near-miss from Lovren, following a miscue by Emiliano Martinez, briefly raised hopes among the Croatian bench and supporters, but Otamendi managed to avert danger and restore balance for Argentina.
Moments later, the game’s decisive sequence unfolded. Messi, orchestrating play from the attacking zone, delivered a through ball to Alvarez after a clever pass to an advancing teammate. The move culminated in a clinical finish that extended the lead and pushed Croatia into a more challenging position. The alignment of the Argentinian attack, coupled with precise timing from Messi, sealed the engagement and left little room for doubt about the result.
The closing stages saw strategic substitutions as Dalic and Scaloni sought to manage fatigue and intensity. Modric, who had played a central role for Croatia, left the field as other players prepared for additional chances. Dybala, not yet featured in the tournament, was brought into play late in the proceedings with the intent to offer a fresh threat. While both teams created moments, no additional goals materialized, and the score remained in favor of Argentina.
Messi stands on the cusp of reaching the World Cup final for a second time. Having previously tasted the final in 2010, where Argentina fell to a late German goal, the current squad eyes a rematch against the winner of the France–Morocco clause that followed. The match underscored Argentina’s potential to translate individual brilliance into collective success when backed by cohesive, dynamic attacking movements and disciplined defensive organization. The narrative moving forward centers on whether Argentina can convert this momentum into a title run, while Croatia contends with the disappointment of a semifinal exit and the question of how they will regroup for future campaigns. All analyses reflect observed on-field actions and post-match assessments from contemporary coverage of the tournament.