1. Could this finally be Messi’s time?
An imperious Lionel Messi honed, toned and burnished Argentina to an A-list shine to sweep past a resilient and shot-shy Croatia and make the final of the World Cup.
The flea (la pulga), as Messi is called because of the way he glides and skips during a game, was the bull (el toro) on rampage last night.
His dazzling dribbles and his jaw-dropping assist for the marauding Julian Alvarez’s killer second goal are destined to be the centrepiece of a thousand reviews.
Add his coolly converted penalty to that. Add everything else the irrepressible little genius did to echo the magic of the other little genius, Diego Maradona, at Mexico 86.
He carried a good, but not great Argentina side to a 3-0 victory through a mix of outrageous ability and sheer force of character.
It was a deserved win, a performance full of verve and brio, and attacking intent in which Manchester City’s 22-year-old striker Alvarez also shone with two goals.
Messi was at the heart of it all and involved in every goal, but Alvarez has shown that he has a brilliant career ahead of him.
While Alvarez became the youngest player to score twice in a World Cup semi-final or final since Pele in 1958, on the occasion of a 25th World Cup appearance – equalling German Lothar Matthaus’ record – Messi’s assist gave him eight in World Cups, the same as Maradona.
But what he wants to equal is what Maradona did in 1986. Apart from the World Cup, he has won it all. Could this finally be his career-defining time?
2. When we almost saw the last of Messi
A possible nightmare end to Argentina’s dream came 19 minutes into the game when the iconic number 10 stretched and clutched the top of his left hamstring.
Messi was not finished. After a short spell at walking pace, he re-emerged with renewed courage to spur his team forward.
And they did that in style, far different from the side, who went ahead with a goal from Messi, only to fall victims of what is still the biggest shock of this World Cup when they lost their opening game 2-1 to Saudi Arabia.
Croatia manager Zlatko Dalic said: “It is the true Messi we expected to see.”
In 1990, Argentina were similarly shocked by Cameroon in their first game, but reached the final, losing 1-0 to West Germany.
Have they hit their peak at the right time to go one better against either France or Morocco in the final on Sunday?
3. Goodbye, Modric
With nine minutes left, Croatia captain Luka Modric slipped away from the pitch, drained and disappointed, with warm applause from all parts of Lusail Stadium.
Modric, who as a boy was deemed too weak and too shy to play football, had been the pivot in Croatia’s run to the semi-final. Nobody in world football has performed to his level at 37.
The engine room he has run at this World Cup with Marcelo Brozovic and Mateo Kovacic has had no parallel.
Croatia defender Borna Sosa, talking about the formidable trio, said this week: “When you pass them the ball it is safer than having your money in the bank.”
Modric played every game because he had to. He did so with competitive courage, and the victory on penalties against Brazil epitomises him and a Croatia team that refuse to accept defeat.
Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni had this to say of Modric: “He’s a role model for so many of us not just because of his talent but also his behaviour. If you love football, then you should enjoy players like him.”
Modric’s swansong at the Euros in 18 months’ time?
4. Vintage Croatia bow out with heads held high
Croatia made a confident and composed start to this semi-final but were undone by their opponents who had arrived with songs in their hearts and a quickstep in their feet.
They were exhausted after having played extra-time in two matches, and understandably their defence was exposed in uncharacteristic fashion for Argentina’s first two goals.
The anticipated battle between the future best defender in the world, Josko Gvardiol, and the greatest player of the past 20 years, Messi, did not happen.
The young all-action centre-back, who looks every bit the super villain, was run ragged three times by superhero Messi, including that twisting run that set up the third goal.
Argentina’s rallying cry in Qatar is a pop song with a title that roughly translates as “Boys, We Have Our Hopes Up Again”.
It is a re-work of a 2003 version about heartbreak that was originally titled “Boys, Tonight I’ll Get Drunk”. It was the Croats who drank away their sorrows last night.
5. Over to you, Kylian
The race for the Golden Boot is hotting up.
5
Lionel Messi (Argentina)
Kylian Mbappe (France)
4
Julian Alvarez (Argentina)
Olivier Giroud (France)