The first half is just a few seconds away and he knows it Giuliano Alvarez that when the referee Orsato marks the end, the cameras will go with him, after the inevitable and logical filming of Messi, the best on the planet. But this problem matters little to the man born in Calchín, Córdoba, 22 years ago. The lights of celebrity are unfamiliar to him which is why everyone embraces him. It happened to him at River, Manchester City and the national team. The team led by Lionel Scaloni wins with his goal and a penalty committed against him and which Messi, his eternal idol, exchanged for a goal. Anything happens in a World Cup semi-final, no more, no less.

Run and run Julián, chase a dream. He goes to look for a long pass from Tagliafico behind the right. He arrives, tries to touch left-handed and the linesman raises the flag. Offside. Croatia leaves quickly, Luca Modric he tries to enter the rival camp and a shadow follows him right under Nahuel Molina’s nose. That presence is Julián Álvarez, the scorer, the tireless, the altruistic, the unbearable.

As happens with Messi, thrilled to see Julian Álvarez play. There is no way an elite striker can wear that much for the team. There is no ego in Cordoba: it is pure humility. They say you play as you live and the Spider sanctions it.

He made a match for Julian history. Thousands and thousands of children must have cried for him in Argentina. Even more exact: thanks to him. Because it was Álvarez who opened a closed game, even without a football flight. The Spider saw a space and drew a diagonal, the one that comes naturally to him. He was also lucky: Enzo Fernández had the ball at his feet, his friend, the one with whom he watched many national team matches at the River pension. It’s true that he didn’t define well, but he waited to do it and Livakovic committed a penalty. Messi, goals and advantage.

And then, the memorable bullfight. She didn’t have the artistic beauty of Diego in Mexico, but she was full power. It’s beautiful. He ran 50 meters with the ball under control and collided with any Croatian who got in his way. Yes, he ignored them. All while Mario Alberto Kempes watched from the Lusail grandstand. He also waited and subtly defined. 2-0. knockout punch

“I started going with the ball dominated, I saw that several teammates crossed my path, he was biting me hard and I stayed, the truth”he explained as if it were any target in the pastures of Calchín.

He continued to show what Julian is all about in the second half. He ran, pressed and hit the third. Make no mistake: Álvarez is, above all, a lethal scorer. For this he waited for Messi’s assistance and defined himself as if he were an area striker, as if he were Batistuta, or Crespo, or Higuaín, or Agüero.

Data: Álvarez, with 22 years and 316 days, Youngest player to score a brace in a World Cup semi-final or final since Pelé in 1958 (17 years); he is also the fifth best scorer in under-23 world football (Haaland, David, Vlahovic and Krstovic, the top four).

“Happy personally and for the group. We deserved it. We’re in the final, which is what we wanted. Now rest,” Álverez released with the shyness that characterizes him. And he closed: “I imagine that in Calchín they are all crazy, like everyone in the country. We are happy with what we are achieving. And we are aiming for more.”