Sports Tak Staff
December 14, 2022
With surging runs and a striker's instinct, Julian Alvarez carried Argentina into another World Cup final.
Lionel Messi and Alvarez were a pair of 5-feet-6 predators in a partnership that put to rest any hopes Croatia had of reaching back-to-back finals.
Alvarez rose to the challenge on soccer's biggest stage with a huge performance in the semi-final against Croatia.
Alvarez earned a penalty kick converted by Messi before scoring twice to maybe even outshine his teammate in a 3-0 victory at Lusail Stadium.
Alvarez became the youngest player to score twice in a World Cup semifinal match since a 17-year-old Pele scored a hat trick for Brazil in 1958.
"The match from Julian was excellent, not only because he scored two goals, but because he helped our midfielders," said Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni.
Lionel Messi held Alvarez in a playful headlock after his first goal and hugged him hard after the second.
Argentina would hope for another masterful contribution from Alvarez in the final.