Argentina vs. Croatia

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Argentina qualified for the World Cup final with a comfortable win over Croatia on Tuesday as Lionel Messi put on a show.

Messi opened the scoring with a powerfully hit penalty on 34 minutes, becoming Argentina's all-time leading goal scorer at the World Cup finals, and shortly after Alvarez completed a direct solo run through the heart of the Croatia defence before tapping home to double Argentina's lead before half-time

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The third goal was added thanks in part to a signature run from Messi who used his change of speed to guide past Gvardiol before sliding the ball back to Alvarez for a simple finish.

Argentina won the World Cup in 1978 and 1986 and will face either France or Morocco in the final.

Croatia, who finished second in Russia four years ago, exited the competition after putting together another upset run.

With his 25th World Cup appearance, Messi equaled Germany's Lothar Matthaeus as the most World Cup appearances by a single player.

Croatia wanted possession at the start, as they had done against Brazil in the quarterfinals, but they couldn't find a way into the Argentina box.

Messi was on hand to convert the penalty after Croatia's Livakovic brought down Alvarez in the box.

The best was yet to come as he picked up a Messi pass in his own half, sprinted 50 metres and tucked in the second goal, thanks to two lucky bounces and some sloppy defending.

After 45 minutes, the game could have been over if Livakovic hadn't made a great save on an Allister goal at the half.

Unlike their extra-time comebacks against Brazil, there was no way back for Croatia.

The two-goal advantage that Argentina had against the Netherlands in the last eight was not going to be wasted.

In the 69th, Messi tricked his way past Gvardiol and picked out his teammate in the box, who sealed Croatia's tournament exit.