Live Blog: Argentina cruise, book spot in World Cup Final with 3-0 win over Croatia

Keep up with all the latest news and reaction ahead of semifinal action at the 2022 FIFA World Cup on TSN. 

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Lineups for the World Cup semifinal match between Argentina and Croatia:

Argentina: Emiliano Martinez, Nicolas Tagliafico, Nicolas Otamendi, Cristian Romero, Nahuel Molina, Alexis Mac Allister, Leandro Paredes, Enzo Fernandez, Rodrigo De Paul, Julian Alvarez, Lionel Messi.

Paredes has been recalled in central midfield as Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni reverts to a four-man defense. Center back Lisandro Martinez has been dropped.

Croatia: Dominik Livaković, Dejan Lovren, Borna Sosa, Joško Gvardiol, Josip Juranović, Mateo Kovačić, Marcelo Brozović, Luka Modrić, Mario Pasalic, Ivan Perišić, Andrej Kramarić.

Live updating

90' - Five minutes separate Argentina from glory, and yet Croatia have still struggled to generate opportunities against the stout Argentine defence.

85' - Mac Allister and Molina both head for the benches for Argentina, as they make their final substitutions of the match. Angel Correa and Juan Foyth subbed on, each participating in their first taste of action this tournament.

82' - Mac Allister found the ball in the Croatian crease after a quick free kick try, and blasted the ball just wide as Argentina refuse to let Croatia down easy.

80' - Modric was replaced by Lovro Majer, as Croatia's soccer hero departed from the field in perhaps his last appearance in World Cup action for his country.

73' - Argentina make more changes as they shift to a defensive effort, with Exequiel Palacios replacing De Paul and Paulo Dybala replacing Alvarez.

71' - Marko Livaja replaced Kramaric for Croatia, as they set to take a free kick. The try got through the Argentine wall, but couldn't fool Martinez from distance.

68' - Messi strikes again, as he weaved through the Croatian defence before finding Alvarez once more for the dagger, putting the Argentine side up 3-0.

66' - Croatia are mounting possessions, but the true dangerous chance has not yet revealed itself for the European side as the clock continues to tick down.

60' - Lisandro Martinez has subbed on for Paredes, as the Argentine side seek a more defensive formation. Croatia are lined up to take a free kick from just outside the Argentinian penalty zone. The kick bounced dangerously in front of the keeper, but Lovren was unable to put a strong header on it, as it was cleared moments later.

57' - Messi battled hard with the ball in the Croatian crease, and found an open shot on net. Livakovic stood strong in deflecting the ball away to hold the lead at two.

50' - Bruno Petkovic subbed on for Brozovic, who appeared to be dealing with an injury for the Croatian side.

48' - The Argentine attack has been unrelenting to open the seconds half, and culminated in a strong try on net to challenge Livakovic early.

45' - Nikola Vlasic and Mislav Orsic subbed on for Sosa and Pasalic of Croatia.

Argentina scored twice to take a 2-0 lead into half time, and they've led every game except their tournament opener against Saudi Arabia by a score of 2-0. Croatia will seek to copy the Dutch effort and work their way to a tie by the end of 90 minutes.

44' - Croatia nearly found their first step back into the game, as a series of good passes resulted in a hard shot at the bottom corner of the Argentine net, which required a diving save from Martinez.

42' - Looking for more, Argentina earned a corner kick and Livakovic made a miracle save on a quick header by Messi, which held the lead at 2-0 for the South American side.

38' - The counter-attack has proven to be the calling card for the Argentine side, as a full-field charge by Alvarez was too much for the Croatian side to shake as he buried the field-long run in the back of the net.

32' - On an immediate counter-attack, an early ball found Alvarez in the Croatian box, and Livakovic fouled the Argentinian striker on the attempt to give Messi a try from the penalty spot. Messi struck the top right corner, opening the scoring for Argentina.

30' - The Croatian midfield exemplified their quality, starting with Modric who opened a charge downfield, though the finishing attempt sailed over the cross bar.

24' - Fernandez put the first shot on goal of the game for Argentina, forcing Livakovic to make a diving stop to direct the ball out.

21' - Argentina have started to turn the tide, generating possession and a few decent chances. Neither team has put a shot on goal yet.

15' - Croatia have started to control possession, and a great series of passes earned Modric a corner kick try, though nothing dangerous came of it.

13' - Argentina appeared to have broken a chance on net, but Messi took a tumble. The appeal for a penalty call was not successful.

11' - Both teams still trying to find their offensive footing. No corner kicks or free kicks awarded in the opening action.

5' - Each team have controlled possession early, and forced the opposing keepers to make a play on a ball in the crease.

No attempts on net as yet.

Argentina vs. Croatia

Croatia have announced their starting 11 for the match against Argentina

All eyes are on Argentina's football legend Messi, as he looks to guide the squad to their first World Cup title since 1986.

Messi is the all-time most capped player in Argentinian team history (170 games), and he also holds the most goals for La Albiceleste (95).

At 35 years old, this may be the final chance for Messi to cement his legacy in FIFA competition history. He has previously led Argentina to a runner-up finish in 2014, and to two quarter-final eliminations in 2006 and 2010.

This cap will be Messi's 25th in FIFA World Cup action, which ties him with Germany's Lothar Matthaus for the most World Cup appearances by a male player.

Given the propensity for penalty kick shootout finishes in the elimination round of this tournament, it is worth mentioning the success Argentina have found in the ultimate tiebreaker, with their five penalty shootout victories being the most in FIFA World Cup history.

This is the third meeting between these two sides, and first in an elimination stage game. Their most recent matchup was at the World Cup in Russia in 2018, where Croatia won 3-0 in the group stage.

Argentine fans are finding creative ways to support their team back home, including a giant Messi jersey being flown above the city of Rosario by a helicopter.

On the other side of the pitch, Croatia's own footballing legend may be competing in his swan song at the FIFA World Cup.

Modric, 37, debuted internationally against Messi in 2006, and the two have led their clubs to FIFA World Cup finals since. Croatia made their first appearance in a finals in 2018, where they were defeated by France.

The two players have shared more than just the number 10 through the years, as they've each pushed their nations to new heights in the past three decades.

Croatia is led by their commanding midfield play, often described as the strongest in the tournament, and they have a tall task to try to top Rodrigo De Paul of Argentina in this game.

In terms of possessions won in the midfield third of the field, only De Paul has more wins than Modric at the tournament this year.

Croatia and Morocco, who play France tomorrow, each have the opportunity to become first-time FIFA World Cup champions at this tournament.

The goalkeeper matchup in this game is certainly one to note.

Each keeper has two clean sheets in the tournament so far, and they each led their team to shootout victories in the quarter-finals leading to this matchup.