World Cup 2022: Argentina Coach Sheds Tears After Reaching Finals

• Lionel Scaloni took over Argentina in 2018 after three final losses and a round-of-16 World Cup exit
• He won the 2021 Copa America, Argentina's first trophy since 1993 and has guided them to their sixth World Cup final
• The 44-year-old masterminded an authoritative performance against 2018 World Cup finalists Croatia, which ended in a resounding victory

Argentina reached their sixth World Cup final under the coaching tutelage of Lionel Scaloni after thumping Croatia 3-0 on Tuesday, December 13.

It was the first time La Albiceleste will feature in the finals of the global showpiece after suffering a heartbreaking 1-0 defeat to Germany in 2014.

The two-time world champions began their route to the Grand Finale with a disappointing 2-1 loss to minnows Saudi Arabia and since that setback Scaloni's charges have not looked back.

Picking up wins against Mexico and Poland to finish at the summit of Group C before flying past Australia, the Netherlands and now Croatia to punch their ticket to the finals, ESPN notes.

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Following their domineering display against Croatia in the semifinals, Scaloni, the youngest coach at the Mundial was reduced to tears with the World Cup now within touching distance, Hindustan Times reports.

In a video making the rounds on social media, seen by Sports Brief, the 44-year-old manager was emotional after receiving a warm hug from poster boy Lionel Messi.

Argentina will play the winner of the second semifinal between Morocco vs France on Sunday, December 18.

Messi, Alvarez fire Argentina to finals

An inspired Lionel Messi scored from the penalty spot and Julian Alvarez struck twice as Argentina beat Croatia 3-0 on Tuesday to reach their second World Cup final in eight years.

The two-times world champions, backed by a huge majority of the crowd at the Lusail Stadium, produced their best display of the tournament to ensure they will meet the winners of Wednesday's semi-final clash between holders France and Morocco in Sunday's final.

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Messi, 35, who suffered a defeat to Germany in the 2014 final, is desperate to crown his extraordinary career by winning his first World Cup and bringing Argentina a third title to add to those won in 1978 and 1986.

Ronaldinho in awe of Argentina

Sports Brief reported earlier that Brazil football icon Ronaldinho Gaucho gushed over Julian Alvarez's stunning solo goal in Argentina's semifinal tie against Croatia.

Ronaldinho, who won the 2002 World Cup with Brazil, was in the stands with a host of other ex-football stars to watch the first semifinal of the 2022 Mundial.

Despite Argentina's storied rivalry with Brazil, the former World Footballer of the Year was left in awe by La Albiceleste's amazing counterattacking goal finished by Julian Alvarez, ESPNFC notes.