Qatar 2022 World Cup: Argentina to 6th Final After 3-0 Victory Over Croatia

Argentina's national team (Timnas) has advanced to the final of the 2022 Qatar World Cup. La Albiceleste – as the Argentinian national team is known – is appearing in its sixth World Cup final since the tournament's inception in 1930.

In the semi-final match at Lusail Stadium in the early hours of Wednesday, December 14th, 2022, the Argentinian team, led by Lionel Messi, defeated Croatia 3-0.

Messi opened the scoring for Argentina from a penalty kick in the 34th minute of the first half, making the score 1-0. Five minutes later, Julian Alvarez doubled the lead for La Albiceleste in the 39th minute, extending the score to 2-0.

In the second half, Julian Alvarez added another goal for Argentina against Vatreni – Croatia's nickname – in the 69th minute, making the score 3-0. Croatia failed to score until the final whistle, resulting in a 3-0 victory for Argentina.

With this win, Messi and his team improved Argentina's record against Croatia to 3-2 in their last five matches since 1998-2022. Here are the results of Argentina's last five matches against Croatia:

1. 2022, Argentina 3-0 Croatia (World Cup)
2. 2018, Argentina 0-3 Croatia (World Cup)
3. 2014, Argentina 2-1 Croatia (Friendly)
4. 2006, Argentina 2-3 Croatia (Friendly)
5. 1998, Argentina 1-0 Croatia (World Cup)

In the 18 World Cup tournaments it has participated in since 1930-2022, the Argentinian national team has reached the final six times. Argentina has won the World Cup twice, in 1978 and 1986. La Albiceleste has also finished as runner-up three times, in 1930, 1990, and 2014.

In the 2022 Qatar World Cup, Argentina will face the winner of the other semi-final between France and Morocco, scheduled for Al Bayt Stadium in the early hours of Thursday, December 15th, 2022.

Here is Argentina's journey to the final of the 2022 Qatar World Cup:

Final (18/12/2022):

* Argentina vs (France/Morocco)

Semi-final (Top 4):

* Argentina 3-0 Croatia

Quarter-final (Top 8):

* Argentina 2-2 Netherlands (Penalties: Argentina 4-3 Netherlands)

Round of 16:

* Argentina 2-1 Australia

Group Stage C:

* Argentina 2-0 Poland
* Argentina 2-0 Mexico
* Argentina 1-2 Saudi Arabia