Lionel Messi urged his teammates to “take pleasure in” the event after Argentina breezed previous Croatia 3-0 on Tuesday to arrange a World Cup ultimate towards France or Morocco. Seven-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi set Argentina on their method with a first-half penalty earlier than Julian Alvarez scored twice at Qatar’s Lusail stadium, the place Sunday’s ultimate can be held. “Argentina are, as soon as once more, within the World Cup ultimate. Take pleasure in it!” mentioned Messi. “We have been by way of robust conditions, different excellent ones. Immediately we’re experiencing one thing spectacular.”
Messi’s fifth objective of the event means he overtakes Gabriel Batistuta as Argentina’s prime goalscorer at World Cups — he now has 11 objectives. “I am having fun with it with all these folks (followers in Qatar) and all of the Argentines which are in our nation,” he mentioned. “I think about it have to be loopy there.”
Argentina arrived in Qatar as one of many event favourites however doubts crept in after they misplaced their opening group recreation 2-1 towards outsiders Saudi Arabia.
“We knew what we might do, we had been assured,” mentioned the Paris Saint-Germain ahead. “We knew we weren’t the favourites however nobody gave us any presents — we deserved every little thing we have.”
Alvarez, who started the event on the bench however has now scored 4 objectives in 4 video games, mentioned the group deserved the win.
“In my household they have to be going loopy, like the entire nation I assume,” he mentioned.
Midfielder Rodrigo De Paul mentioned Argentina’s victory within the Copa America final yr, after they beat Brazil 1-0 within the ultimate within the hosts’ Maracana fortress, had given them the idea they might go all the best way in Qatar.
Argentina had been unbeaten in 36 matches earlier than arriving in Doha.
“We had a number of perception — we have simply turn into champions of (South) America. This group confirmed what it was able to,” he mentioned.
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