Argentina (4-4-2)
Emiliano Martínez (GK) Rarely extended but got down smartly to push away a deflected cross. Collected a lot of overhit deliveries. 7/10
Nahuel Molina (RB) Offered an outlet in attack and made a decoy run to create space for Álvarez’s goal. Solid defending too. 7
Cristian Romero (CB) Strong in the tackle and never short of commitment. His tenacity ensured that Croatia could not create anything of note. 8
Nicolás Otamendi (CB) Struggled towards the end of his time at Manchester City but a reliable performer here. Having a fine tournament. 7
Nicolás Tagliafico (LB) The left-back kept Croatia’s right side quiet. He was quick to the ball and constantly looked to make overlapping runs. 7
Rodrigo De Paul (RM) Charged forward to confuse Croatia as Álvarez closed in on goal for their second. Not exciting but disciplined without the ball and worked hard. 7
Leandro Paredes (CM) Found it difficult to live with Croatia’s midfield at first but upped the intensity and began to turn the tide. 7
Enzo Fernández (CM) Has forced his way into the starting line-up and his pass led to the penalty that gave Argentina the lead. 7
Alexis Mac Allister (LM) Some loose touches early on hinted at nerves. But he grew into the game and went close with a header. 6
Lionel Messi (CF) Mooched around. Blasted home a penalty. Rolled back the years with a ridiculous dribble for Argentina’s third. Still the best. 9
Julián Álvarez (CF) Won the penalty, ran the length of the pitch to double the lead and finished nicely for 3-0. A livewire. 8
Substitutes: Lisandro Martínez His introduction led to Argentina switching to a back five, 6; Exequiel Palacios Given a brief runout when the game was over as a contest, 6; Paulo Dybala Handed his first minutes of the tournament, 6; Juan Foyth, 6; Ángel Correa, 6.
Croatia (4-3-3)
Dominik Livakovic (GK) Brought Álvarez down for the penalty. Unable to do anything about the goals but made some sharp saves. 6
Josip Juranovic (RB) Looked vulnerable. Shaky positionally and was guilty of a weak attempt to stop Álvarez’s ersatz Diego Maradona ’86 tribute. 4
Dejan Lovren (CB) The former Liverpool defender lost track of Álvarez when the striker won the penalty. Should have read the danger. 5
Josko Gvardiol (CB) The RB Leipzig defender is in demand but Messi tormented him. Beaten by the little genius before Álvarez’s second goal. 5
Borna Sosa (LB) Produced disappointing deliveries from some promising positions. Uncomfortable when Messi moved over to his side. Replaced at half-time. 5
Marcelo Brozovic (CM) Poor on the second goal. Slow to the loose ball and left his defence exposed when Messi found Álvarez. 5
Luka Modric (CM) Dominated midfield at first, producing one delightful nutmeg. But he lost the ball when Argentina broke for the penalty. 6
Mateo Kovacic (CM) His driving runs had Argentina worried at 0-0. Unfortunately he lacks ideas when he reaches the final third. 6
Mario Pasalic (RW) Failed to assert himself against Tagliafico, who won their duel. He could not complain about being taken off during the interval. 4
Andrej Kramaric (CF) Croatia had nothing up front. Kramaric tried hard but he could not break free of Otamendi and Romero. 5
Ivan Perisic (LW) Seems to be slowing down. Offered no end product. But annoyed not to win a corner just before Argentina scored. 5
Substitutes: Bruno Petkovic Could not repeat his heroics from the Brazil game, 5; Mislav Orsic Replaced Perisic but was unable to make an impact, 6; Nikola Vlasic Invisible after coming on for Pasalic, 6; Lovro Majer Replaced Modric during the dying stages, 6. Marko Livaja On for Kramaric in the 72nd minute, 6
