Argentina vs Croatia: Milestones Ahead for Messi as Croatia look Set to Play Their Best Match Nevertheless

Argentina vs Croatia: Milestones Ahead for Messi as Croatia look Set to Play Their Best Match Nevertheless 

Argentina defender Nicolas Tagliafico says Lionel Messi's presence will give Argentina a 'special edge' in the World Cup semi-final against Croatia.

It was mostly Messi's performance that led Argentina into Tuesday's semi-final match as the centre-forward scored four of Argentina's nine goals himself, while Messi assisted on two.

"He's always been like that," Tagliafico said.

'For us he is our captain and our leader. He is the one who drives us forward and inspires us.'

When Messi will play against the 2018 finalist Croatia at seven o'clock in the evening in the largest Lusail Stadium in Qatar tonight, Germany's great player Lothar Matthias has the record of playing the most 25 matches in the World Cup. Will equalize. 

  Messi's different style  

Personal milestones

The 35-year-old world-renowned player also has other personal milestones as he looks to lead Argentina to their first victory since 1986 in their fifth and possibly final World Cup.

Messi is also one goal away from equaling Diego Maradona's record total of eight in World Cup finals, along with Gabriel Batesuta as Argentina's joint top scorer in World Cup competition with 10 goals.

 "When we're on the field, that's what gives us the edge," added Tagliafico.

'We know we have Messi and that is a great source of motivation and hope because we all know we can contribute and give our best. We are really happy to have Messi as our captain.

 'With everyone's support we are all working together to make our dreams come true, and it is the most beautiful thing that we are doing this on behalf of our team with Messi.'

  A fan holds up the bats of both Argentina and Croatia's main players  

Croatia team trying to form a lot of history

 Zlatko Dalic, the top coach of Croatia, a rustic with a population of but four million, says that reaching the ultimate of the planet Cup for the second time in a very row, let go Argentina, are going to be thought-about the best soccer success of his country.

 If Croatia wins on Tues, they're going to become solely the second team, when European country in 2014, to beat each Brazil and Argentina within the same tourney knockout stage.

 Delk said: 'The semi-final against European nation at the last tourney [2018] was the largest ever, with the sport against Brazil coming back second.