FIFA WORLD-CUP QATAR 2022 (SMI-SPORTS-NOV. 20- DEC. 18, 2022)-Argentina defeated Croatia 3-0, in the semifinal match of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, advancing to final championship game with a chance to win its third FIFA world cup title in their history.
 
"La Albiceleste " will face France in the final title game who defeated Morocco 2-0, in the other semifinal game on Sunday Dec. 18, 10:00am at Lusail Stadium.

Messi scored his 5th goal of the tournament tying France's Kylian Mbappe to share first place with one game remaining between these two teams in the final game to determine the Golden Boot winner of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.

In addition, Julian Alvarez of Argentina who scored two goals against Croatia, and Olivier Giroud of France who netted his 4rd goal of the tournament against Morocco share second place in the scorer table behind Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe.

An exciting semifinal game from the start, with Argentina and Croatia used continuous offensive counter-attacks for the first 30' minute without any major danger in either goal. "La Albiceleste" opened the score first through a penalty kick at 34th minute, when Argentinian's attacker Julian Alvarez received a long pass from the backfield and a breakaway inside the 18', was fouled by Croatia's goalkeeper Dominik Livakivic for the penalty call by the official.

The penalty shot was executed by global-star Lionel Messi who scored his 5th goal of the tournament and eleventh of his career in FIFA world cup competition to put Argentina 1-0, over Croatia.

Argentina kept the pressure and five minute later the second goal arrived through Julian Alvarez at 39th minute for "La Albiceleste" 2-0, over Croatians.

The play was originated by attacker Alvarez who during a counter-attack through the middle, ran with the ball "Inside the 18", evading three Croatia's defenders and scored with a flicked shot over goalkeeper Livakivic that ended in back of the net for the 2-0, in favor of Argentina over Croatia at the half.

In the second half, "La Albiceleste " picked-up where they left-off with several counter-attacks. searching to increase its lead and secure the victory.

Argentina added its third goal at 69' minute through Julian Alvarez who has become a rising star in the world football/soccer stage by scoring his second goal of the game and his fourth in the tournament. Messi through the leftside pitch maneuvered to ran inside the penalty area with the ball and passed it to Alvarez who kicked a sharp right-footed to the far goalpost to sealed the 3-0, win of the "Albiceleste " over Croatia.   

With the victory, the South-American powerhouse Argentina reaches its sixth world cup final championship game overall in their FIFA world Cup history, winning  2-World Cup crown (1978 & 1986) and finishing runner-up 3-times in 1930, 1990 & 2014.