Argentina’s Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring from the penalty spot the opening objective through the World Cup semifinal soccer match between Argentina and Croatia on the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar on December 13, 2022.
| Photo Credit: AP

Lionel Messi scored from the spot earlier than Julian Alvarez grabbed one other with a unbelievable solo run to present Argentina a 2-0 lead over Croatia at halftime within the first World Cup semi-final on Tuesday.

Argentina received the penalty within the thirty second minute when goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic tried to disclaim Alvarez, who was by means of on objective, bringing down the Manchester City ahead and getting booked within the course of.

Messi stepped up and made no mistake, firing the spot kick into the highest nook for his eleventh objective in World Cups, essentially the most by any Argentina participant within the match’s historical past.

Five minutes later, Alvarez picked up the ball close to the half line from a Messi cross and went on a magical run by means of the Croatian defence, going previous three defenders and having fun with some fortunate rebounds earlier than stabbing the ball previous Livakovic for 2-0. 

Lineups

Argentina: Emiliano Martinez, Nicolas Tagliafico, Nicolas Otamendi, Cristian Romero, Nahuel Molina, Alexis Mac Allister, Leandro Paredes, Enzo Fernandez, Rodrigo De Paul, Julian Alvarez, Lionel Messi.

Croatia: Dominik Livaković, Dejan Lovren, Borna Sosa, Joško Gvardiol, Josip Juranović, Mateo Kovačić, Marcelo Brozović, Luka Modrić, Mario Pasalic, Ivan Perišić, Andrej Kramarić.