In pics | Messi's 2022 World Cup journey so far as he advances to another final

Lionel Messi arrived at the World Cup in Qatar amid much fanfare. However, a rude surprise awaited both Messi and Argentina as Saudi Arabia caused an upset by beating the La Albiceleste 2-1. As many as three goals in the first half by Argentina were ruled out due to offside. In the second half, Saudi Arabia played like a proper team and managed to keep Argentines in their tracks. 

After the defeat, Messi said, “It’s a very hard blow for everyone, we didn’t expect to start like this. Things happen for a reason. We should prepare for what’s coming; we have to win, and it depends on us.”  

After the shocking defeat against Saudi Arabia, Argentina's World Cup hopes hanged by a thread. A defeat would have meant curtains. With unpredictable Mexico as an opponent, Messi and his men had a stiff challenge at their hands. Once again, it was Messi that performed a rescue act for the La Albiceleste by scoring the crucial opening goal in a 2-0 win which kept their round of 16 hopes alive. 

Playing his 999th match for club and country, Messi missed a penalty in the game. Wojciech Szczesny, the Polish keeper denied Messi for the second time in the World Cup finals. However, the Argentine side galvanised after the first half and managed to strike immediately through Brighton striker Mac Allister. The midfielder redirected a Nahuel Molina cross with a first-time shot to give the advantage which was to be later doubled by Julian Alvarez. 

With the game steadily poised at 1-0, Argentina won a penalty after Acuna was brought down in the penalty box by Dumfries. Messi stepped up to the challenge and slotted one cooly past the tall Dutch keeper Noppert. The goal brought him level with Gabriel Bautista as the joint highest goal scorer (10) for Argentina. 

Argentina vs Netherlands was always going to be an enthralling contest. However, very few could have predicted that it will become this feisty. Even Lionel Messi had personal score to settle against the Dutch manager Louis van Gaal who made few remarks against the no. 10 in the pre-match conference. 

After scoring the penalty, Messi went straight towards the Dutch dugout and posed for what has become an iconic photograph. 

It was a match fitting for the occasion but one man and phenomenon single-handedly stole the show and it was none other than Lionel Messi. The no. 10 scored one and assisted two goals as Argentina steamrolled the Croatian challenge 3-0 to give their talisman a chance at achieving greatness for posterity. Perhaps, the most Messi-esque moment came in the 69th minute when the 35-year-old single-handedly beat Gvardiol, arguably the best defender of the tournament in the Croatian penalty box to set up Alvarez for his second goal. 

However, after the match Messi said the final on Sunday will be his last in the blue-and-white colours of Argentina. 

"I feel very happy to be able to achieve this, to finish my World Cup journey by playing my last game in a final. It's many years for the next one and I don't think I'll be able to do it. And to finish like this, it's the best."