Sports Live: Croatia, runners-up in Russia four years ago, paid the price for some untypically poor defending as they went out in the last four for the second time after their 1998 loss to France in their maiden tournament.

It was not until the 25th minute when the game showed signs of life with a low pot shot from outside the box by Enzo Fernandez but Croatia keeper Dominik Livakovic did well to get across and keep it out.

It was a tight affair but then a simple lofted ball over the top from Fernandez caught out the Croatian defense, Alvarez latched on to it, knocking the ball past the advancing Livakovic who collided with the striker and Italian referee Daniele Orsato pointed to the spot.

Scoring record

Livakovic guessed correctly that Messi would go to his left but his dive was in vain as the Argentine's sweetly struck drive flew high into the net to put his side 1-0 up in the 34th minute.

It was Messi's fifth goal of the tournament, making him joint top-scorer with France's Kylian Mbappe. His 11th career goal – in a record-equalling 25th World Cup appearance – also took him past Gabriel Batistuta as Argentina's all-time World Cup top scorer.

Five minutes later, Argentina doubled their lead when, after a break from a corner, Alvarez picked the ball up inside his own half and began a long dribble goalwards.

With the Croatian defense backing off, Alvarez rode weak challenges from Josip Juranovic and Borna Sosa and then slipped the ball past Livakovic to send the heavily Argentine crowd into delirium.

Alexis Mac Allister then went close with an angled header from a corner, forcing a fine save out of Livakovic to avoid a third.

All Croatia could muster in response, before the break, was a low Juranovic cross-shot that Emiliano Martinez reacted well to.

Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic responded with a double substitution at the break, introducing Nikola Vlasic and Mislav Orsic, and five minutes later and threw on striker Bruno Petkovic.

They were positive moves but still, Argentina looked the more dangerous with Messi, after a swift exchange with Fernandez, forcing a save at the near post.

Messi saved his best for last though, tormenting Josko Gvardial down the right before leaving the 20-year-old defender behind and pulling the ball back to Alvarez who coolly slotted home.

Croatia was finished but it was clear that Argentina and Messi are peaking just in time for the biggest game of their lives.

FIERY SUPPORT

Croatia, the 2018 runners-up, wanted possession at the start, as they had done against Brazil in their quarter-final, and circulated the ball well but struggled to find a way into the Argentina box.

The South Americans, who have now won every World Cup semi-final they have contested, enjoyed fiery support from their fans who far outnumbered the Croats in the stands of Lusail stadium, also the site for Sunday's showcase.

They exploded with a loud roar when Alvarez, who had their best chance in the 25th minute with a low shot, was brought down in the box for a penalty.

Messi, who drew level with Germany's Lothar Matthaeus as the joint record holder for most World Cup appearances with his 25th game, fired past Livakovic to give Argentina the lead after Croatia's assistant coach Mario Mandzukic was sent off for dissent.

But the best was yet to come and it was Alvarez, nicknamed 'the spider', who delivered, picking up a Messi pass in his own half, sprinting 50 meters, and weaving his way into the Croatia box, thanks to two lucky bounces and some sloppy defending, before tucking in the second goal.

Livakovic, who had carried Croatia into the last four with saves in their penalty shootout wins against Japan and Brazil, did well to stop an Alexis Mac Allister header on the stroke of halftime that could have killed off the game after 45 minutes.

However, unlike their extra-time comeback heroics against tournament favorites Brazil, there was no way back this time for Croatia.

Argentina was in no mood to squander their two-goal advantage as they had done against the Netherlands in the last eight, and they conceded no space.

Alvarez dashed any lingering Croatia hopes in the 69th, tapping in a cutback after Messi tricked his way past defender Josko Gvardiol on the right to pick out his teammate in the box who sealed the Balkan country's tournament exit.

Dhaka, 14 December (campuslive24.com)//AZ