Messi inching closer to first World Cup title
Croatia stands in way in Tuesday semifinal
DOHA, Qatar — Tears are flowing from soccer’s biggest superstars as they make emotional exits from what might be their last World Cup.
First it was Neymar. Then it was Cristiano Ronaldo. Could Lionel Messi be next?
Momentum is building behind Messi’s push to cap his career with the biggest prize in the game. The 35-year-old Argentina playmaker has carried his team to the semifinals, almost in the same way Diego Maradona — the man with whom Messi is so often compared — led the South American nation to its second and most recent World Cup title in 1986.
Now in Argentina’s way is Croatia, a country with a population of 4 million which is establishing a reputation as the most stubborn and durable of opponents while also boasting one of soccer’s most graceful players in Luka Modric.
The teams go head to head at Lusail Stadium — also the venue for Sunday’s final — in a meeting between the last two runners-up at the tournament: Argentina in 2014 and Croatia in 2018.
Argentina might have been expected to be in this position. The team arrived at the World Cup as the Copa
America champion, on a 36-match unbeaten run and with Messi back in sublime form for Paris Saint-germain.
Messi has continued that form in Qatar, scoring four goals.
“For us, he is our leader — he drives us, motivates us,” Argentina defender Nicolas Tagliafico said Monday. “We have that little bit extra when we go on the field. We are delighted that he is our captain.”
There was much less noise around
the Croatians, yet they keep on surprising just like four years ago when their run to the final included a 3-0 victory over Argentina in the group stage. They also reached the World Cup semifinals in 1998.
Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic said his team’s World Cup performances are proving to be an inspiration to other underdogs, such as fellow semifinalist Morocco.
“Everyone in life has a right to make dreams,” Dalic said. “The Croatia national team made that dream a reality for all small countries four years ago. We gave other countries the right to have those dreams.
“They are encouraged by our example, by our fight, our qualities. All other national teams are living their dreams and Morocco is no exception … But let us share the same dream.”