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Messi on a mission
Lionel Messi is fine, thank you for him.
Beyond his penalty, his fifth of the goal of the tournament, the new co-recordman of World Cup matches (25, like Lothar Matthaus) once again displayed his class on the lawn of Lusail, in order to guide his Argentina towards victory against Croatia (3-0) and therefore in the final.
After 20 minutes of observation, the Flea went into wild mode, accelerating, setting the tone, masterfully guiding this generous but lackluster Argentina.
Without Messi, no salvation for the Albiceleste, a bit like its 1986 predecessor with Diego Maradona.
The Parisian is on a mission, it shows, it feels, it feels.
He did not go out, even when the Croatian coach gave up his arms by replacing the other legend, Luka Modric.
Messi who touched the sublime in the second half when he played Josko Gvardiol like a bullfighter before offering his second goal of the day to Julian Alvarez.
Gaucho sauce thrust.
Magical.
The native of Rosario never ceases to amaze or amaze us.
Mr Messi.
Luka Modric, delicious genius
In the duel he delivered with Lionel Messi, the Croatian will certainly be the most disappointed with the outcome of the match, but he will not have to be ashamed either.
Solid, precious, aggressive and never bothered by the ball, the usual conductor from vice-world champions 2018 responded present.
Only problem, football is played at 11 and in this case, Luka Modric is still looking for most of his partners, who disappeared on the lawn of the Lusail stadium on Tuesday evening (see elsewhere).
At 37, the metronome of the Dalmatians has once again made his science of the game speak, without being decisive.
Infuriating.
Certainly, Luka Modric, whose end of career in selection promises to be inevitable, will leave a huge void.
The ovation reserved for him by the public (largely Argentinian) on his exit attests to the trace that
Argentinian fervor, again and again
We say it we repeat it, the Argentinian supporters are as numerous as they are warm in Qatar.
From the defeat against Saudi Arabia (1-2) to this easy qualification for the final, the "Hinchas" give themselves without counting, like their favorite players.
Privileged witnesses to Messi's (probable) last dance, they again raised the temperature at the Lusail stadium, singing from start to finish.
In fact, before kick-off and well after the final whistle, the first shivers seeing the Pulga on the screens before entering the pitch for the warm-up at the communion session after the victory, the fifth right now.
“
We have the best supporters in the world… with the Argentinians
“, Slipped Walid Regragui earlier Tuesday, at a press conference.
A sacred compliment in the mouth of the chauvinistic Moroccan coach.
The most chauvinistic French fans, they can only hope that the supporters of Argentina and Morocco will not have the opportunity to fight with decibels on Sunday, during the final (4 p.m.), for the world title from the stands.
That would mean that the Blues gave in to the Atlas Lions on Wednesday (8 p.m.), during the second half of the World Cup.
CLAW STRIKES
Croats were boiled
Too many games.
The Croats, authors of a magnificent course in this World Cup with in particular the victory under tension against Brazil in the quarter-finals, lacked everything on Tuesday evening against Argentina.
The step was too high.
The obligation of a new XXL effort far too delicate for the men of Zlatko Dalik.
Apart from Luka Modric, who, from the height of his 37 years, still gives the impression of having 10 years less, the Dalmatian collective has withered against the Albicelste.
Too much fatigue, too much defensive largesse and not enough offensive weight to hope for better.
A defeat which in no way detracts from the balance sheet of the finalists of the 2018 World Cup, surprisingly present in the last four in Qatar.
A fabulous performance for a country of 4 million inhabitants.
Read alsoArgentina-Croatia notes: Messi untenable genius, Lovren exceeded
small half
With a roasted Croatia (see elsewhere) and a blue-collar Argentina which is subject to the brilliance of the only Messi to shine, the first semi-final of the Qatari World Cup was not exciting.
Especially since Lionel Scaloni's players were already leading 2-0 at the break, hardly shaking after the break before scoring the third goal, through the precious lieutenant Julian Alvarez.
Little or no show, even less suspense and an unbalanced opposition: if not on the side of Buenos Aires, there was nothing to ignite.
Except if we are content to see the two living legends Modric and Messi evolve.
A moment of history, it's not so bad...
Argentina-Croatia in pictures
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