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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Jacob Steinberg at the Lusail Stadium

Argentina 3-0 Croatia: World Cup semi-final player ratings

Lionel Messi soaks up the acclaim of the Argentina fans
Lionel Messi soaks up the acclaim of the Argentina fans after a dazzling performance against Croatia. Photograph: Friedemann Vogel/EPA

Argentina (4-4-2)

Emiliano Martínez (GK) Rarely extended but got down smartly to push away a deflected cross. Collected a lot of overhit deliveries. 7/10

Nahuel Molina (RB) Offered an outlet in attack and made a decoy run to create space for Álvarez’s goal. Solid defending too. 7

Cristian Romero (CB) Strong in the tackle and never short of commitment. His tenacity ensured that Croatia could not create anything of note. 8

Nicolás Otamendi (CB) Struggled towards the end of his time at Manchester City but a reliable performer here. Having a fine tournament. 7

Nicolás Tagliafico (LB) The left-back kept Croatia’s right side quiet. He was quick to the ball and constantly looked to make overlapping runs. 7

Rodrigo De Paul (RM) Charged forward to confuse Croatia as Álvarez closed in on goal for their second. Not exciting but disciplined without the ball and worked hard. 7

Leandro Paredes (CM) Found it difficult to live with Croatia’s midfield at first but upped the intensity and began to turn the tide. 7

Enzo Fernández (CM) Has forced his way into the starting line-up and his pass led to the penalty that gave Argentina the lead. 7

Alexis Mac Allister (LM) Some loose touches early on hinted at nerves. But he grew into the game and went close with a header. 6

Lionel Messi (CF) Mooched around. Blasted home a penalty. Rolled back the years with a ridiculous dribble for Argentina’s third. Still the best. 9

Julián Álvarez (CF) Won the penalty, ran the length of the pitch to double the lead and finished nicely for 3-0. A livewire. 8

Substitutes: Lisandro Martínez His introduction led to Argentina switching to a back five, 6; Exequiel Palacios Given a brief runout when the game was over as a contest, 6; Paulo Dybala Handed his first minutes of the tournament, 6; Juan Foyth, 6; Ángel Correa, 6.

Croatia (4-3-3)

Dominik Livakovic (GK) Brought Álvarez down for the penalty. Unable to do anything about the goals but made some sharp saves. 6

Josip Juranovic (RB) Looked vulnerable. Shaky positionally and was guilty of a weak attempt to stop Álvarez’s ersatz Diego Maradona ’86 tribute. 4

Dejan Lovren (CB) The former Liverpool defender lost track of Álvarez when the striker won the penalty. Should have read the danger. 5

Josko Gvardiol (CB) The RB Leipzig defender is in demand but Messi tormented him. Beaten by the little genius before Álvarez’s second goal. 5

Borna Sosa (LB) Produced disappointing deliveries from some promising positions. Uncomfortable when Messi moved over to his side. Replaced at half-time. 5

Marcelo Brozovic (CM) Poor on the second goal. Slow to the loose ball and left his defence exposed when Messi found Álvarez. 5

Luka Modric (CM) Dominated midfield at first, producing one delightful nutmeg. But he lost the ball when Argentina broke for the penalty. 6

Mateo Kovacic (CM) His driving runs had Argentina worried at 0-0. Unfortunately he lacks ideas when he reaches the final third. 6

Mario Pasalic (RW) Failed to assert himself against Tagliafico, who won their duel. He could not complain about being taken off during the interval. 4

Andrej Kramaric (CF) Croatia had nothing up front. Kramaric tried hard but he could not break free of Otamendi and Romero. 5

Ivan Perisic (LW) Seems to be slowing down. Offered no end product. But annoyed not to win a corner just before Argentina scored. 5

Substitutes: Bruno Petkovic Could not repeat his heroics from the Brazil game, 5; Mislav Orsic Replaced Perisic but was unable to make an impact, 6; Nikola Vlasic Invisible after coming on for Pasalic, 6; Lovro Majer Replaced Modric during the dying stages, 6. Marko Livaja On for Kramaric in the 72nd minute, 6

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