Argentina are finalists, led by a magical Messi and a lethal Julián Álvarez

In addition to having Messi, Argentina had Mbappé, masked Giuliano Alvarez. And that’s how he solved a match that seemed long, with two knockout hands in the first half and a genius in the second. This is how he paved the way to the final. That’s how he dreams and he has reasons to do it.

because he ended up crushing a rival who arrived undefeated and who showed his credentials in the first half hour. The always impeccable Luka Modric’s team raised a possession game with more patience. In the 15th minute the thermometer showed that the blue team had the ball 63 percent of the time, against 37 for Argentina.

Control, clean start, short passes, Modric for Brozovic, Brozovic for Gvardiol, no rush to attack. And another round.

The idea was to suspend the match, but the national team showed even more patience. Don’t attack me, I’ll wait for you. Calm. Paradito in the center with De Paul, Paredes, Enzo Fernández and Mac Allister. And I pretend to be asleep too. You will see…

The first shot on target of the game was from Enzo Fernández, after 24 minutes. Shortly before, Messi’s bionic scanner had indicated that he had to move a few meters to the right. An imperceptible movement at that moment but which would have been fundamental shortly after.

Between 31 and 39 minutes, to be exact. That empty space left by Messi, the alley of nine, was exploited by Enzo Fernández with his throw and Julián Álvarez with his speed to put the diagonal from the left towards the center. The hitherto safe Croatian central defenders, Lovren and Gvardiol, lost their reference and did not see that arrow with the number nine appear on their back.

Julián went straight for goalkeeper Livakovic, who tipped him over. Penalty and Messi is a goal, except against Poland. Booked that the Croatian goalkeeper had distinguished himself on penalties, Leo changes register: no subtleties, shot in the left corner.

First goal with the ball Al Hilm (the dream), who replaced Al Rhila (the away). All a message.

And Croatia burned all the cards, lost script and patience, perhaps too quickly. And another match began, which Argentina was determined to take advantage of. The Azzurri are out of place and Julián puts in fifth, they can’t stop him and favored by the rebounds from the defenders who arrived late, he makes it 2-0. All in just over five minutes.

It was a knockout. The runner-up world champion lost his temper and his game plan, overwhelmed by a rival who threatened to overwhelm him with space. And it happened, in a huge stack of Messi down the right that ended up serving Julián Álvarez 3-0. An assist to close the stadium and to confirm that whatever happens in the final, It’s already Messi’s World Cup. His best World Cup, the fifth, breaking all the records he had in front of him and leading the national team like never before. And beyond any comparison.

Messi led a selection with his magic that was received as a World Cup team. He played his best game at the right time. As Scaloni says, he defends when he has to defend and understands the moments of each game. This, the semi-final against Croatia lasted half an hour, played with intelligence and efficiency.

With a heavenly Messi and Julián Álvarez as implacable as his French colleague. In the face of Croatia and any team, at least on Tuesday evening in Lusail. The journey continues and the dream grows.

Lusail, Qatar. Special delivery.