Argentina and Croatia player ratings as La Albiceleste book sixth World Cup final appearance
- Planet Sport writer
- 13 December 2022
Argentina booked a place at their sixth World Cup final after comprehensively beating Croatia to reach Sunday’s showpiece.
Lionel Messi will have the chance to crown his glittering career with a World Cup winner's medal after opening the scoring and setting up a brilliant assist in a magical display against Croatia.
The 35-year-old will get a second shot at World Cup glory against France or Morocco back at Lusail Stadium in what looks set to be his last appearance on the world stage.
Messi scored from the spot before Manchester City forward Julian Alvarez ended a driven solo run with a cool finish, then benefitted from a brilliant assist by the skipper in a 3-0 semi-final win against Croatia.
Planet Sport takes a look at player ratings for both teams.
Argentina
EMILIANO MARTINEZ: Following quarter-final penalty-saving heroics, the Aston Villa goalkeeper did not face a shot of any note. 6 (out of 10).
NAHUEL MOLINA: Scored his first senior goal in the win over the Netherlands but it was his defensive work which stood out here. 7.
CRISTIAN ROMERO: A strong display alongside Otamendi at the heart of defence, coping well with whichever system Croatia adopted throughout the contest. 7.
NICOLAS OTAMENDI: Like Romero, was largely untroubled and made his presence felt when required. 7.
NICOLAS TAGLIAFICO: In the side for the suspended Marcos Acuna and will be hoping to retain his place for Sunday's final. 7.
RODRIGO DE PAUL: Happy to do the dirty work as well as occasionally turning on the style and is a key part to the way Lionel Scaloni's team play. 7.
ENZO FERNANDEZ: Such an enterprising midfielder who will be in the running for team of the tournament as he continues to put in eye-catching performances. 8.
LEANDRO PAREDES: Came into the side as Scaloni changed shape and rarely wasted possession in a dogged display. 7.
ALEXIS MAC ALLISTER: The Brighton man is a workmanlike addition to a forward line bursting with talent and has yet to have a bad game in Qatar. 7.
LIONEL MESSI: Now just one game away from lifting the World Cup at his fifth attempt and his superb spot-kick set Argentina on the way before he brilliantly laid on Alvarez's second of the evening. 9.
JULIAN ALVAREZ: Won the penalty before hitting a brace, first with a smart finish after a solo run and then tucking away after some Messi magic. 9.
SUBSTITUTES:
LISANDRO MARTINEZ (for Paredes, 62): On to help keep things tight at the back and did the job. 6.
PAULO DYBALA (for Alvarez, 74): A first appearance at the finals for the experienced Roma striker, who kept the Croatia defence busy. 6.
EXEQUIEL PALACIOS (for De Paul, 74): On to give De Paul a well-earned breather. 6.
JUAN FOYTH (for Molina, 86): Given a taste of a World Cup semi-final. n/a.
ANGEL CORREA (for Mac Allister, 86): Another late change to keep things fresh. n/a.
Croatia
DOMINIK LIVAKOVIC: Conceded the penalty which saw Argentina break the deadlock and helpless as Alvarez then took centre stage. 5.
JOSIP JURANOVIC: Found wanting as Alvarez bundled through to score the second and did not recover. 5.
DEJAN LOVREN: Could not deal with the threat of Alvarez and never settled into the game. 5.
JOSKO GVARDIOL: Has looked superb at the back for Croatia but the highly-rated youngster was shown up by Messi in the build-up to the third goal. 5.
BORNA SOSA: A tough night for the Stuttgart full-back, who was hauled off at half-time. 4.
MARCELO BROZOVIC: Started well but part of a midfield that was over-run in the closing stages of the first half, when Argentina struck twice. 5.
LUKA MODRIC: The 37-year-old still has the legs of someone 10 years younger but the 2018 Ballon D'Or winner could not inspire Croatia to consecutive World Cup finals. 6.
MATEO KOVACIC: Strong and brave in the challenge and stormed forward on occasion but his influence wilted as the game wore on. 6.
MARIO PASALIC: Had very little impact on the tie before being replaced at the interval. 5.
IVAN PERISIC: The experienced campaigner levelled in the 2018 semi-final win over England but, barring a couple of long-range efforts, did not come close to a similar outcome here. 5.
ANDREJ KRAMARIC: Marshalled well by an experienced Argentinian defence. 5.
SUBSTITUTES:
NIKOLA VLASIC (for Pasalic, 45): Could count himself a little unfortunate not to have earned a starting place but had little impact off the bench. 5.
MISLAV ORSIC (for Sosa, 45): Another whose introduction did little to alter things. 5.
BRUNO PETKOVIC (for Brozovic, 50): Added more of a focal point to the attack as Croatia chased the game. 6.
MARKO LIVAJA (for Kramaric, 72): A tough ask to come on and change the game at such a late stage. 5.
LOVRO MAJER (for Modric, 81): Replaced his skipper late on. 5.
