The result and its significance
Argentina beat Croatia 3–0 at Lusail on December 13, 2022 to reach the men's World Cup final. Lionel Messi scored once and Julián Álvarez twice. The match was a semifinal: victory secured a place in the final, rather than the championship itself.
This matters when a standalone score is rediscovered later. The opposition, competition stage and date distinguish the game from a group match or a subsequent international between the same teams. The three goals belong to Argentina's Qatar semifinal record.
Source [1]Why possession did not settle the match
FIFA's technical analysis described an Argentina performance that used less possession and more direct attacking transitions. Álvarez's work applying pressure was part of that approach. The account offers a useful reminder that the percentage of possession does not alone measure the quality of scoring chances or the effectiveness of defending.
Argentina's route included the earlier 2–1 defeat to Saudi Arabia. Comparing the two matches shows how a tournament story can change after the opening round. This historical account keeps the semifinal separate from claims about later tournaments, future international appearances or a player's eventual retirement.
Source [2]