Lionel Messi

Lionel Messi gets the ball near midfield, BURNS Joško Gvardiol and provides a perfect assist

Lionel Messi showed the world once again that he’s in arguably the best form of his career. Aging like a fine wine, Messi got a goal and an assist vs. Croatia in Argentina’s 3-0 World Cup semifinal victory on Tuesday.

His goal came from the penalty spot in the 34th minute, but the assist. Oh, that glorious assist. That one came in the 69th minute.

Messi assist vs Croatia

Leading 2-0, Messi and Julián Álvarez put the nail in the coffin with about 20 minutes to go. The 35-year-old maestro looked like he was a young 20-something again with a dazzling run.

Messi se convirtió en el máximo goleador de Argentina en mundiales

En su misión de llevar a Argentina a la final de la Copa del Mundo, Lionel Messi rompió otro récord en su condecorada carrera.

Luego de convertir el primero de los tres goles con que la Albiceleste venció a Croacia, el "10" se convirtió en el máximo goleador de su país en la historia del torneo.

Máximo goleador de Argentina en Mundiales

La marca de Messi se concretó en el minuto 34, luego de patear el penal que el portero Dominik Livaković le había cometido a Julián Álvarez.

El tiro de Messi fue arriba, cruzado e inatajable.

Pepe complains about referee selection vs. Morocco and says the WC has been fixed for Argentina

With the pain of the elimination still burning inside, the veteran Portuguese defender Pepe made a bold claim, saying that the World Cup has been set to give Argentina the title. 

Minutes after the 0-1 defeat against Morocco, Pepe elaborated his conspiracy theory talking with Portuguese broadcaster RTP3. And a lot had to do with the referee selection for the game against the Atlas Lions, Facundo Tello, who is Argentine. 

Con la magia de Messi, las atajadas del Dibu Martínez y el corazón en la mano, Argentina está en semifinales

El sueño de Lionel Messi de ganar la Copa del Mundo se mantiene intacto.

Argentina avanzó a las semifinales de Catar 2022 luego de despachar a los Países Bajos, en uno de los partidos más emocionantes del torneo. Para que se hagan una idea, el menú incluyo una asistencia sublime de Messi, varios empujones entre jugadores que casi nos regalan una batalla de antología, un empate de último minuto con una genialidad de táctica fija, la angustia típica del tiempo extra y una definición a penales que dejó a varios con el corazón literalmente en la mano.

Messi provides one of the greatest assists of his career in World Cup quarterfinals

When the Netherlands ceded possession to the United States in the World Cup Round of 16, it was a departure from football history but a masterstroke from the Dutch: they knew the U.S. wouldn't have the quality to find that final pass in the attacking third and that they'd slice the Americans apart going the other direction.

A similar approach could be seen by the Netherlands at the start of its quarterfinal match against Argentina. Playing in a 3-4-1-2, the Dutch packed the middle of the park and said there's no way you're finding joy centrally.

The path to how Messi and Ronaldo can square off in the World Cup final

It was a long shot when the tournament began, but the answer to "can Messi face Ronaldo in World Cup 2022 final" is suddenly somewhat plausible with both Argentina and Portugal reaching the quarterfinals on opposite sides of the bracket.

That means Messi and Ronaldo both need to win just two more games to reach the final at Lusail Iconic Stadium on Sunday, Dec. 18. Here's how it's to be done. 

Can Messi face Ronaldo in World Cup 2022 Final?

Argentina's route to the final

Seeing the Messi kids hugging each other after daddy's goal vs. Australia will melt your heart

This World Cup is special for Lionel Messi — not only because he wants glory, not only because it's probably his last one, but also because his three kids are old enough to watch him play.

"From the very beginning, from kick-off to the final whistle, I'm thinking of my children," confessed the Argentine star after defeating Australia and qualifying for the quarterfinals against the Netherlands. 

Messi and Argentina expect classic quarterfinal against old rivals Netherlands

AL RAYYAN, Qatar - Argentina captain Lionel Messi and coach Lionel Scaloni predicted a tough but beautiful encounter with the Netherlands when the sides meet in Friday's World Cup quarterfinal.

Argentina beat Australia 2-1 while the Netherlands defeated the United States 3-1 on Saturday to set up a tantalizing clash between two of the great teams of world football who famously met in the 1978 World Cup final which the South Americans won.

Messi celebró su partido 1.000 con un gol, un par de récords y un boleto a los cuartos de final

Lionel Messi desbloqueó un nuevo obstáculo en su sueño de ganar la Copa del Mundo con Argentina. Pese a complicarse más de la cuenta, La Albiceleste se las arregló para vencer a Australia por 2-1 y avanzó a los cuartos de final del Mundial de Catar 2022 con el 10 como figura angular. 

Gol de Messi vs Australia

Uno de los goles del triunfo lo anotó precisamente Messi y en honor a las circunstancias no fue cualquier gol.

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