General view of flags of Argentina and Croatia are seen on the pitch before the Semifinal between Argentina and Croatia at the 2022 FIFA World Cup at Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, Dec. 13, 2022. (Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu)
LUSAIL, Qatar, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- Lionel Messi and Julian Alvarez struck within five minutes as Argentina took a 2-0 lead over Croatia at halftime of their FIFA World Cup semifinal on Tuesday.
Messi converted from the penalty spot in the 34th minute after Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic clattered into Alvarez when he was through on goal.
Alvarez made it 2-0 in the 39th minute as he gathered the ball in his own half before embarking on a brilliant solo run and bundling home from close range.
Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni made two changes to the team that beat the Netherlands on penalties in the quarterfinals. Nicolas Tagliafico replaced the suspended Marcos Acuna at left-back while Leandro Paredes came in for Lisandro Martinez.
Croatia boss Zlatko Dalic named an unchanged team after his side's quarterfinal defeat of Brazil, also on penalties. ■
Starting players of Croatia line up before the Semifinal between Argentina and Croatia at the 2022 FIFA World Cup at Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, Dec. 13, 2022. (Xinhua/Xu Zijian)
Starting players of Argentina line up before the Semifinal between Argentina and Croatia at the 2022 FIFA World Cup at Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, Dec. 13, 2022. (Xinhua/Li Jundong)
Nahuel Molina (R) of Argentina vies with Borna Sosa of Croatia during the Semifinal between Argentina and Croatia at the 2022 FIFA World Cup at Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, Dec. 13, 2022. (Xinhua/Cao Can)
Luka Modric (R) of Croatia vies with Enzo Fernandez of Argentina during the Semifinal between Argentina and Croatia at the 2022 FIFA World Cup at Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, Dec. 13, 2022. (Xinhua/Lan Hongguang)
Lionel Messi (2nd L) of Argentina controls the ball during the Semifinal between Argentina and Croatia at the 2022 FIFA World Cup at Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, Dec. 13, 2022. (Xinhua/Pan Yulong)
Lionel Messi (1st L) of Argentina controls the ball during the Semifinal between Argentina and Croatia at the 2022 FIFA World Cup at Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, Dec. 13, 2022. (Xinhua/Li Jundong)
Lionel Messi of Argentina shoots a penalty kick and scores team's first goal during the Semifinal between Argentina and Croatia at the 2022 FIFA World Cup at Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, Dec. 13, 2022. (Xinhua/Xu Zijian)
Julian Alvarez (2nd R) of Argentina celebrates scoring team's second goal during the Semifinal between Argentina and Croatia at the 2022 FIFA World Cup at Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, Dec. 13, 2022. (Xinhua/Pan Yulong)
Julian Alvarez (top) of Argentina shoots and scores team's second goal during the Semifinal between Argentina and Croatia at the 2022 FIFA World Cup at Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, Dec. 13, 2022. (Xinhua/Pan Yulong)
