Lionel Messi stood, his arms outstretched, in front of those who had come to adore him. His Argentina teammates were still, frozen in a moment of quiet communion between the divine and his congregation.
Soon of course they were all over him. He had not scored the goal — that simple task had fallen to Julián Álvarez — but he had created it, crowning the game with a piece of vintage Messi wonder, using a World Cup semi-final as a chance to become his own tribute act.
And so there he was, at the age of 35, scurrying down the wing, wriggling away from Josko Gvardiol, the 20-yearold Croatia defender who had shadowed him all night, and then slowing down so that he could beat him again, making it to the end line, clipping the ball back for Álvarez. This was Messi, playing the hits.
The magical 69th-minute goal was Argentina’s third of the night. Argentina had beaten Croatia 3-0, and on Sunday, Messi will return to the World Cup final. Eight years since he lost one, a bitter defeat to Germany in Brazil. He will have his shot at redemption and seal his place as the greatest of the 21st century.
The first goal came in the 34th minute. Leandro Paredes freed Alvarez in the middle with a clear lobbed pass and the striker was all set to hit the target when Dominik Livakovic clattered onto him. Referee Daniele Orsato had no hesitation in awarding a penalty. Messi stepped up and with a left-footer into the top corner made it 1-0. It was Messi’s 10th goal for Argentina surpassing Gabriel Batistuta and to think of it, in 2010 Messi did not have a single goal, it’s a huge achievement.
The second came five minutes later and all credit to Alvarez’s doggedness and persistence. A pass from Messi and the Manchester City forward ran with the ball. He left three defenders in his wake and rode a couple of lucky deflections before poking it home. Croatia were stunned by what was happening and Argentina were celebrating.
It also turned out to be Luka Modric’s last World Cup match (that is, if he does not play the third-place play-off) and the 37-year-old was given a standing ovation by the Lusail Stadium when Zlatko Dalic pulled him out nine minutes before full time. But the night belonged to Messi and Argentina. Messi needs one more to attain glory. Will he get it on Sunday?
