World Cup 2022: Messi Offers MOTM Match Award vs Croatia to Teammate

• Lionel Messi and Julian Alvarez were in fine form during Argentina's World Cup clash against Croatia
• The two were on the scoresheet as Lionel Scaloni's men hammered Croatia to advance to the final
• However, it was Messi who pipped the Man of the Match award ahead of Alvarez who netted a brace

An ever humble Lionel Messi has admitted he would give his Man of the Match award against Croatia to his Argentina teammate Julian Alvarez.

Messi was in impeccable form during the World Cup semi-final cracker scoring once and assisting another as Argentina demolished Croatia 3-0 to reach the final of the tournament.

The Paris Saint-Germain ace scored the opener in the 34th minute from the penalty spot before he set up Alvarez for the second five minutes later.

The Man City ace put the game beyond Croatia's reach in the 69th minute as La Albiceleste stormed to a comfortable win.

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Messi picks match award

Despite Alvarez's equally impressive performance against Luka Modric's Croatia, it was Messi who was awarded the Man of the Match prize.

However, while picking the award, Messi was quick to single out Alvarez for praise, admitting he would have offered the gong to the Man City youngster if he had the chance.

"Every player did very well, but if I had to choose, I would give this award to Julian. He had an extraordinary game," the Argentina skipper said via Metro UK when he was asked if he would have given the MOTM trophy to anyone else.

Argentina are set to face the winner between Morocco and France in the Qatar edition of the World Cup.

Messi's stunning assist vs Croatia

Earlier, Sports Brief reported Argentina captain Lionel Messi produced an incredible assist in his side's 3-0 defeat over Croatia on Tuesday evening.

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The 35-year-old opened the scoring in the 34th minute with a powerful finish from the spot.

Julian Alvarez made it 2-0 for La Albiceleste after he completed a direct solo run through the heart of the Croatia defence before tapping home to double Argentina's lead.