World Cup semifinal

Plus, head-to-head record, latest odds and how both teams have fared in Qatar so far.

As he was challenged the ball rebounded back to him from Josip Juranovic and then from an off-balance Borna Sosa and Alvarez just kept going and going and poked it home. Alvarez side-footed past Livakovic and it was game over. He had already been feeling the back of his leg and was moving less easily. As he held off Gvardiol, Messi was able to get his shot away with Livakovic parrying. Despite Luka Modric’s claim to be the best midfielder of his generation it felt like the narrative was set to be Messi’s and so it proved. If there had been metal bars around the pitch it could not have been more cagey and it felt like it would take something surprising to break the deadlock. Messi will need Alvarez with the Manchester City striker not only scoring twice, and earning the penalty, but doing all of his running for him. And running and running. It was pure genius from the genius. Quite why Messi ended up playing the whole game when he could barely run was surprising. This tournament, so rich in its football, its drama, its upsets, and so controversial in so many other ways, has the final act it so craved. In his fifth attempt it really is his final chance.

The Qatar World Cup semifinals will start on December 14 (Wednesday) and the first match will be played between Argentina and Croatia.

TRENDING France will face Morocco the next day (Thursday, December 15). Lionel Messi's Argentina outpassed Netherlands with Extra Time and penalties in its favour. While Morocco became the first African country to reach the World Cup semifinals by defeating Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal 1-0, Croatia ousted five-time champions Brazil 4-2 in penalties. Morocco, Croatia, Argentina and France have made it through the quarterfinals that wrapped up last week.

This combination picture during the Qatar 2022 World Cup football tournament shows Croatia's midfielder Luka Modric, left, in Doha on Dec 9, and Argentina's ...

Plenty of studies have shown that playing in front of a supportive crowd does impact performance in a positive way. Argentina will play Croatia in the Qatar 2022 World Cup football semi-final match in Doha on Dec. This combination picture during the Qatar 2022 World Cup football tournament shows Croatia's midfielder Luka Modric, left, in Doha on Dec 9, and Argentina's forward Lionel Messi in Doha on Dec. Will that impressive mental strength prove to be decisive again or will those extended battles take a toll physically? Will that impact the game? Croatia and Argentina face each other on Tuesday at the Lusail Stadium with a place in the World Cup final at stake.

Croatia and Argentina face each other on Tuesday at the Lusail Stadium with a place in the World Cup final at stake.