Lionel Messi drops masterclass against Croatia, he is one step away from completing football

Lionel Messi is just one game away from completing his trophy cabinet after Argentina secured their place in this winter's World Cup final.

The seven-time Ballon d'Or winner, who appeared to be struggling in the opening stages of Tuesday's semi-final with a hamstring injury, showed his genius on numerous occasions in the clash against Croatia.

After a fairly unspectacular first half-hour, Messi would soon burst into life. In fact, he opened the scoring with an emphatic finish from 12 yards after the brilliant Julian Alvarez was brought down by Dominik Livakovic.

ITV co-commentator Ally McCoist went on to claim the effort was "unstoppable". You can be the judge of that one.

Argentina have one foot in the final... and it's that man again!! 🤩🇦🇷

Lionel Messi overtakes Gabriel Batistuta as Argentina's top scorer at World Cup finals with 11 goals! 🙌#ITVFootball | #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/C8haTlVGb1

— ITV Football (@itvfootball) December 13, 2022

From that moment onwards, Croatia struggled to deal with the likes of Messi and Alvarez, who doubled Argentina's lead in the 39th-minute.

The Manchester City forward, who plays second fiddle to Erling Haaland at the Etihad – despite being one of the best forwards in the league – ran from his own half before converting past Livakovic after some questionable defending.

Things went from bad to worse for Zlatko Dalic's side when the genius of Messi left Josko Gvardiol – a defender that has caught the eye of some of European football's biggest teams – with a big headache.

In fact, Gvardiol has been one of the standout players at this tournament and Messi made him look bang average by doing this.

"That was just genius...!"

Lionel Messi leaves the commentary panel lost for words with this beautiful piece of skill to gift Argentina a third goal... 🙌🇦🇷#ITVFootball | #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/2KjMWqMjyA

— ITV Football (@itvfootball) December 13, 2022

Messi proceeded to assist Alvarez, who soon doubled his tally to confirm Argentina's place in the World Cup final.

They will play either France or Morocco in the final on Sunday at 3pm UK time.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic, meanwhile, believes his former teammate will lift the World Cup this year in his final appearance at the competition as a player.

Lionel Scaloni's side have beaten Mexico, Poland, Australia, the Netherlands and now Croatia en route to the final and Ibrahimovic, who played with Messi at Barcelona, thinks it's "written" in the stars.

"I think it's already written who will win, and you know who I mean. I think Messi will lift the trophy, it's already written."

Do you think Messi and Argentina will go on to lift the World Cup?

Let us know in the comments.