Ronaldinho could not hold back his amazement after watching Manchester City striker Julian Alvarez light up the World Cup with a jaw-dropping solo goal against Croatia on Tuesday night.
With a place in the Qatar showpiece at stake, Argentina raced into a 2-0 lead at the Lusail Stadium as seven-time Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi (pen) and Alvarez netted. Alvarez also had a hand in the opener when the summer signing was brought down by Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic.
Messi converted from 12 yards and the baton was handed back over to the City forward. His strike was so brilliant that even Brazil favourite Ronaldinho had to ignore his patriotic loyalties to stand up and applaud.
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Argentina broke quickly as Alvarez picked up possession around halfway before jinking his way past the usually so watertight Croatia defence. He had a little fortune along the way when the ball bounced straight back into his path following a challenge or two, but there was still plenty of work for Alvarez to do.
He entered the penalty area and poked it beyond Livakovic to put the South Americans on the brink of yet another major international final. It was fantastic goal which had the great and good celebrating.
Screened in the UK by ITV Sport, pitch-side cameras flashed to Ronaldinho shortly after it hit the net as the former Barcelona man stood up and applauded with vigour. It was Ronaldinho-esque from the 22-year-old as he continues to come of age in Qatar with his third goal at the tournament.
As the Brazil icon flashed up on screen, ITV Sport commentator Ally McCoist said: "If he's clapping you, you must be doing something right." Ronaldinho, 42, won the World Cup with his nation in 2002.
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