Match report

Argentina Defeats Croatia 3-0 in World Cup Semifinal

Argentina
Argentina
3–0
FT
Croatia
Croatia
Dec 13, 2022

Argentina secured their place in the FIFA World Cup final with an emphatic 3-0 defeat of Croatia. Lionel Messi scored from the penalty spot while Julian Alvarez netted twice, solidifying Argentina's dominance.

Key Facts

  • • Lionel Messi converted a penalty in the 34th minute to put Argentina ahead.
  • • Julian Alvarez added two more goals for Argentina in the 39th and 69th minutes respectively.
  • • Croatia's Dominik Livaković received a yellow card early on, indicating intense play from both sides.
  • • Argentina made several substitutions as they maintained their lead throughout the game.

Lineups

Argentina

Formation: 4-4-2

Starting XI

  • 23 E. Martínez (G)
  • 26 N. Molina (D)
  • 13 C. Romero (D)
  • 19 N. Otamendi (D)
  • 3 N. Tagliafico (D)
  • 7 R. De Paul (M)
  • 5 L. Paredes (M)
  • 24 E. Fernández (M)
  • 20 A. Mac Allister (M)
  • 10 L. Messi (F)
  • 9 J. Álvarez (F)

Substitutes

  • 25 Lisandro Martínez
  • 14 E. Palacios
  • 21 P. Dybala
  • 2 J. Foyth
  • 15 Á. Correa
  • 16 T. Almada
  • 1 F. Armani
  • 22 Lautaro Martínez
  • 6 G. Pezzella
  • 11 Á. Di María
  • 12 G. Rulli
  • 18 G. Rodríguez

Croatia

Formation: 4-3-3

Starting XI

  • 1 D. Livaković (G)
  • 22 J. Juranović (D)
  • 6 D. Lovren (D)
  • 20 J. Gvardiol (D)
  • 19 B. Sosa (D)
  • 10 L. Modrić (M)
  • 11 M. Brozović (M)
  • 8 M. Kovačić (M)
  • 15 M. Pašalić (F)
  • 9 A. Kramarić (F)
  • 4 I. Perišić (F)

Substitutes

  • 18 M. Oršić
  • 13 N. Vlašić
  • 16 B. Petković
  • 14 M. Livaja
  • 7 L. Majer
  • 5 M. Erlić
  • 2 J. Stanišić
  • 24 J. Šutalo
  • 17 A. Budimir
  • 12 I. Grbić
  • 25 L. Sučić
  • 3 B. Barišić
  • 21 D. Vida
  • 23 I. Ivušić
  • 26 K. Jakić

Timeline

  1. Croatia
    32' Croatia Card · Yellow Card
    Dominik Livaković

    Foul

  2. Argentina
    34' Argentina Goal · Penalty
    L. Messi
  3. Argentina
    39' Argentina Goal · Normal Goal
    J. Álvarez
  4. Croatia
    46' Croatia subst · Substitution 1
    Off: B. Sosa · On: M. Orsic
  5. Croatia
    46' Croatia subst · Substitution 2
    Off: M. Pasalic · On: N. Vlasic
  6. Croatia
    50' Croatia subst · Substitution 3
    Off: M. Brozović · On: B. Petković
  7. Argentina
    62' Argentina subst · Substitution 1
    Off: Leandro Paredes · On: Lisandro Martínez
  8. Argentina
    68' Argentina Card · Yellow Card
    C. Romero

    Foul

  9. Argentina
    69' Argentina Goal · Normal Goal
    J. Álvarez · Assist: L. Messi
  10. Argentina
    71' Argentina Card · Yellow Card
    Nicolás Otamendi

    Argument

  11. Croatia
    72' Croatia subst · Substitution 4
    Off: A. Kramaric · On: M. Livaja
  12. Argentina
    74' Argentina subst · Substitution 2
    Off: R. De Paul · On: E. Palacios
  13. Argentina
    74' Argentina subst · Substitution 3
    Off: J. Álvarez · On: P. Dybala
  14. Croatia
    81' Croatia subst · Substitution 5
    Off: L. Modrić · On: L. Majer
  15. Argentina
    86' Argentina subst · Substitution 4
    Off: N. Molina · On: Juan Foyth
  16. Argentina
    86' Argentina subst · Substitution 5
    Off: A. Mac Allister · On: Á. Correa

Match Stats

Stat Argentina Croatia
Fouls 15 8
Pass Accuracy 83% 88%
Offsides 1 0
Red Cards — —
Total Shots 9 12
Corners 2 4
Total Passes 399 608
Yellow Cards 2 2
Blocked Shots 1 3
Shots on Target 7 2
Shots off Target 1 7
Possession 39% 61%
Accurate Passes 333 532
Shots Inside Box 6 6
Saves 3 4
Shots Outside Box 3 6

Key Match Notes

  • ▸ Lionel Messi's penalty in the 34th minute broke the deadlock and set Argentina on course for victory.
  • ▸ Julian Alvarez's second goal near the hour mark sealed a comfortable lead, effectively ending any hopes of a comeback from Croatia.