Lionel Messi scored from the spot before Julian Alvarez grabbed another with a fantastic solo run to give Argentina a 2-0 lead over Croatia at halftime in the first World Cup semi-final on Tuesday

Ever since coming to Qatar to report on the latter stages of the World Cup, it has been quite evident to this reporter that Argentina are the people's favourites.

An inspired Lionel Messi scored from the penalty spot and Julian Alvarez struck twice as Argentina beat Croatia 3-0 on Tuesday to reach their second World Cup final in eight years.

The World Cup has traditionally been a platform that offered players the unique chance of being flung from unknowns into the realms of Kings and Kaisers over the course of just one month.

His country is in diplomatic crisis with Morocco, but that’s not stopping Tunisian Wissam Sultani supporting the first ever Arab or African team to reach a football World Cup semi-final.

Carlos Javier Mac Allister played with the great Diego Armando Maradona. His son, Alexis, is playing with Lionel Andres Messi. Only one other father and son duo, Diego and Gio Simeone, can make the same claim. Like millions of other families, the Mac Allisters have long engaged in the inevitable and endless debate about which of the two greats is better. Carlos obviously leaned towards his close friend and teammate Diego, while Alexis swore by Leo, but only till recently.

Argentina and Lionel Messi face Croatia on Tuesday in a World Cup semi-final that pits South American flair against the guile of Luka Modric and a remarkable fighting spirit.

 Argentina made two changes in the starting eleven that won on penalties against the Netherlands for Tuesday's World Cup semi-final against Croatia, who named an unchanged line-up.

As the all-important Fifa World Cup semifinal clash between Argentina and Croatia draws nearer, Argentina fans in Bangladesh are all set to let their voices be heard and their passion for Messi and Co take centre stage.

There may have been questions among the fans witnessing the Fifa World Cup over why Morocco are abbreviated as 'MAR' during TV coverage?

The world union of professional footballers FIFPRO said it was "shocked and sickened" by the risk of Iranian footballer Amir Nasr-Azadani being sentenced to death in connection with protests which have shaken the country for three months.

France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris sent a text to England striker Harry Kane after his Tottenham Hotspur team mate blazed a late penalty over the crossbar in his side's 2-1 World Cup quarter-final loss on Saturday.

Lionel Messi and Luka Modric face off in a mouthwatering World Cup semi-final between Argentina and Croatia on Tuesday, desperate to seize their final chance to win football's ultimate prize.

A court in Spain on Tuesday acquitted Brazilian superstar Neymar of corruption charges related to his transfer to Barcelona from Santos in 2013.

Goalkeepers in football are often the most overlooked players on the pitch, but in FIFA World Cup 2022, we have seen some remarkable goalkeeping performances, including that of Argentina’s Emiliano Martinez and Croatia’s Dominik Livakovic. With the two teams set to meet, let us see how this battle of the goalkeepers will shape up.

Argentina’s story in this World Cup has been that of a transformation. From getting handed an unexpected defeat in the opening match against Saudi Arabia to being unbeaten and waltzing through opponents one after another, it feels like we are in for a grand finish! With Argentina running towards their elusive World Cup dream, let us look at the 5 ways Argentina has re-invented them in this world cup.

Win and you have a seat at the finals. Lose and you go home. In this high-risk and high-reward situation, we have only four teams left at the FIFA World Cup 2022 and Croatia amongst them have earned our respect a while ago. They have dismantled some big teams on their way to the road to the final. Here are 5 reasons why Croatia is a force to be reckoned with.

Croatia are hoping Argentina's bad-tempered World Cup quarter-final qualification over the Netherlands with 16 yellow cards and one red will not spill over into Tuesday's semi-final, coach Zlatko Dalic said on Monday.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic believes the stars are aligned for Lionel Messi to finally capture that elusive World Cup trophy, the AC Milan forward told reporters in Dubai on Monday.

Brazil legend Ronaldo defended Neymar and opined that the future of the Brazil national team was very bright after Croatia eliminated the five-time champions in the 2022 World Cup.