Argentina crush Croatia, Messi's dream lives on into final

LUSAIL, Qatar :The most clinical of smash-and-grabs kept Lionel Messi on track for his date with destiny and broke Croatian hearts as Argentina reached Sunday’s World Cup final with a 3-0 victory at the Lusail Stadium.

Either France or Morocco will face Argentina who were fired-up and orchestrated by a majestic Messi on Tuesday. Considered by many to be the world’s best, Messi now has a chance to put behind him defeat in the 2014 World Cup final and fill the only blank on his career resume.

"Throughout the World Cup it has been incredible what we have experienced. We are going to play the final which is what we wanted," said Messi, voted the world's best player a record seven times.

"I don't know if it's my best World Cup, it's been a long time I've been enjoying. This team is crazy. We are going to play one more final, we are going to enjoy all of this."

Croatia played their part, but in the event it was the smallest of cameos.

Their big day had been, it transpired, against Brazil in the quarter-finals where they contained the pre-tournament favourites and had snuck through on penalties.

The same gameplan they had used to confound the Brazilians, never worked against Argentina. Croatia’s tightly-controlled possession play was on Tuesday night a little more loose, a little more ragged.

Tired legs will do that.

So, for all their greater possession and early domination, Croatia went in at halftime 2-0 down thanks to two classic sucker-punches from their South American opponents.

ANOTHER RECORD

The intricate play and tight triangles Croatia were attempting only had to falter in a tiny way, and when they did Argentina were ready to pounce.

It was a cruel irony that, having looked the stronger side for the best part of half an hour, it