LUSAIL, Qatar — Lionel Messi had been waltzing about, searching for a way into Tuesday's World Cup semifinal here at the Lusail Stadium, when Croatian seas parted and the moment arrived.
Croatia, until Tuesday, had been the team that wouldn’t lose, a group of checkered warriors who simply refused to concede. In six World Cup knockout matches since 2018, they’d gone behind seven times, and only failed to equalize once, in the second half of the 2018 final. They never actually held a lead in regulation, not once in six games, but they fought, survived extra time, and won five of them — four in penalty shootouts.had lost to Croatia calamitously, 3-0, in 2018.
But then he added: ”I believe my team has the means, willingness, freshness and pride to face anything.”On Tuesday, they ascended into a first-half lead, and then, despite Croatia’s best efforts, just kept on ascending. Messi fired his penalty over Livakovic’s outstretched arm, and rose onto yet another page of Argentina’s record books. His fifth goal of this tournament was the 11th of his World Cup career, the most of any Argentine, ever.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
'Messi is our God': Lionel Messi inspires a worldwide pilgrimage to Qatar World CupDOHA, Qatar — His worshippers have come from Singapore and Los Angeles, from Egypt and Nigeria and Iraq. They've come in droves from all parts of Argentina, but also en masse from India. Almost a million people have descended on Qatar for the 2022 World Cup, and tens of thousands are here as devout followers of one man and one team, Lionel Messi and Argentina. Only a fraction of them, though — perhaps a minority — are Argentinean.
Read more »
Lionel Messi leads Argentina into World Cup final with 3-0 win over CroatiaLionel Messi is back in the World Cup final with Argentina on his mission to win soccer’s biggest prize for the first time.
Read more »
Lionel Messi, Julian Alvarez star as Argentina routs Croatia en route to World Cup 2022 finalLionel Messi and Julián Álvarez were unstoppable, combining on all three goals as Argentina steamrolled Croatia in their 2022 World Cup semifinal.
Read more »
World Cup: Lionel Messi masterful as Argentina blanks Croatia in semifinalThe 35-year-old superstar forward, with a goal and assist in a 3-0 semifinal rout of Croatia, is on the cusp of his lifelong dream
Read more »
Lionel Messi powers Argentina back into World Cup final with rout of CroatiaLionel Messi is again on the one stage that’s marred his famed career.
Read more »
Lionel Messi, Argentina Advance to World Cup Final With 3-0 Win vs. CroatiaNEW: The dream lives on for Lionel Messi and Argentina. La Albiceleste secured a 3-0 win over Croatia in their 2022 FIFA World Cup semifinal matchup on Tuesday in style.
Read more »