FIFA World Cup Semi Finals : Argentina vs Croatia

 The first of the semi finals saw Argentina, virtually tear apart Croatia with some vintage football on display to march onto the finals with a commanding scoreline of 3-0. 

The headline build up to the game was the presence of two maestros Luka Modric for Croatia & Leo Messi for Argentina, both captains & leading their respective teams into this semifinals with promise & a never give up attitude, that belied their age, & infused adrenalin into the team mates. The game did start with the Croatians enjoying the better of the exchanges & possession, but, as expected, they let the initiative being taken away as the game progressed, by the more superior team on the field today - Argentina. Following a tightly contested first half hour, where Croatia enjoyed territorial control & more than 60% possession looking for an early lead, but a brilliant counter attack move from almost the Argentinian box goal kick, led young Alvarez to race into the Croatian box with only the goalkeeper Livakovic to beat, who in his attempt to save, clattered into the forward to receive a yellow card & a penalty kick. Leo Messi, as expected stepped in & slotted the ball past the penalty saving specialist into the top right corner to open the scoring 1-0. Tis was in the 34th minute of the game, as the Albiceleste supporters roared in delight.  Stung by this unexpected reverse, Croatia stepped up their game in search of an equaliser, & again paid the price by opening up their backline, as Alvaraz once again took advantage of a super release for Messi around the half line, went zooming past a bunch of rather dazed defenders & their poor clearances, to poke the ball past the hapless keeper to make it 2-0 in the 39th minute. The two quickfire strikes changed the game completely, as suddenly Croatia were clutching thin air & struggling for possession, with Messi & co taking complete control of the game. By half time, the game looked done & dusted.

2nd half story did not change much, as Argentina gradually seized control of the midfield, as Croatia made a couple of strong attempts at the Argentinian box. However, just after the hour mark in the game, Messi was at it again, mesmerising the Croatians, with a fine run though the right, weaving his way through a maze of Croatians before slotting the ball into the path of Alvarez, who coolly put the ball into the net, 3-0. With the game firmly under control now, Scaloni wisely strengthened his backline by bringing in Lisandro Martinez in place of Parades, an obvious move to have 5 players managing the core defense. 

In the end it was a rather comfortable win for the Argentina, giving a feel that the Croatians, had run beyond the distance against Brazil in the quarters, & had very little in the tank to take on the mighty Messi & co. Messi now has 5 goals to his credit plus two assists getting into the race for the Golden Boot, as he guides his side to the finals. With young Alvarez firing all cylinders, & Fernandes, De Paul, Mac Allister prying close on the heels, this side is gradually peaking & in the right time for the finals.