Persevering with his distinctive run within the 2022 version of the FIFA World Cup on Wednesday, Argentina captain Lionel Messi has achieved one other main milestone in his illustrious worldwide profession for the La Albiceleste on the grandest stage. Main the previous two-time world champions within the first semi-final of the Qatar World Cup in opposition to Luka Modric’s Croatia on the Lusail Stadium, Messi equalled Lothar Matthaus’ huge feat on the showpiece occasion.
Messi is certainly one of solely six males to characteristic in 5 World Cups. Apart from the Argentina captain, solely Antonio Carbajal, Matthaus, Rafa Marquez, Andres Guardado and Cristiano Ronaldo have performed in 5 World Cup tournaments. On Wednesday, Messi matched legendary German footballer Matthaus’ feat by recording his twenty fifth look on the FIFA World Cup. Messi and Matthaus maintain the file for many appearances by a participant on the FIFA World Cup. Earlier, Messi was tied with Germany’s Miroslav Klose with 24 appearances within the FIFA World Cup.
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The record-time Ballon d’Or winner can break Matthaus’ long-standing file by taking Argentina to the ultimate of the FIFA World Cup in Qatar. Messi-led Argentina superior to the semi-finals after an exhilarating win over the Netherlands on penalties within the quarter-finals. Rewriting historical past within the knockout stage of the Qatar World Cup, Messi matched Gabriel Batistuta’s sensational feat by scoring his tenth aim for Argentina.
Messi and Batistuta are the joint-highest aim scorers for Argentina within the historical past of the FIFA World Cup. The 35-year-old can also be one help away from matching Diego Maradona’s file of eight on the World Cup. The one participant to provide you with an help in 5 editions of the World Cup, Messi has additionally surpassed Marquez by recording his nineteenth look as captain on the FIFA World Cup. The Argentina talisman now has probably the most appearances (19) as captain on the FIFA World Cup.
Argentina vs Croatia lineups for FIFA World Cup 2022 semi-finals in Qatar:
Argentina (4-3-3): Martínez; Molina, Romero, Otamendi, Tagliafico; De Paul, Paredes, Fernández, Mac Allister; Messi, Álvarez.
Croatia (4-3-3): Livakovic; Juranovic, Lovren, Gvardiol, Sosa; Modric, Brozovic, Kovacic; Pasalic, Kramaric, Perisic.