World Cup 2022: Maddison Stayed in Qatar to Watch Masterclass v Croatia

• James Maddison stayed in Qatar even after England was eliminated from the World Cup
• The England midfielder did not play a single minute for the Three Lions at the tournament
• He watched Lionel Messi's unforgettable display as he led Argentina to the finals

England midfielder James Maddison may be disappointed he didn't play a single minute at the 2022 World Cup as his country were eliminated last weekend.

However, he will surely take some great memories back after watching Lionel Messi's spectacle against Croatia in the semi-final in person.

Maddison went into the tournament with injury concerns, and it seems manager Gareth Southgate wasn't convinced about his fitness.

The Argentina captain produced a legendary performance as he helped his country comfortably dispatch Croatia 3-0 on Tuesday night.

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Argentina started slowly, with Croatia's midfield three dominating the proceedings. Nevertheless, after half an hour, the game was gone in a blink of an eye.

Julian Alvarez won a penalty, which Messi scored. He scored his first goal five minutes later with a superb run deep from inside Argentina's half.

A Luka Modric-led Croatia offered little threat after halftime. At the 70th-minute mark, Messi produced arguably the assist of the tournament.

He dribbled from near the halfway line and did several shimmies before going past Josko Gvardiol and putting the ball on a plate for Alvarez to score his second, which put his team 3-0 up, per Goal.

Maddison in awe of Messi

Inside Lusail stadium former stars like Ronaldinho were in attendance. England midfielder James Maddison stayed in Qatar to watch the Messi show.

The world of football erupted when Messi bamboozled Gvardiol to assist Alvarez.

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Hours later, Maddison says remaining in Qatar despite England's elimination wasn't in vain. He heaped praise on Messi for his superb display at 35 years.

"Wasn’t sure whether I was going to watch the rest of the World Cup after we were eliminated… but how can you turn down the opportunity to watch Leo Messi when he can still play to that level at the age of 35. Honestly astonishing. ."

England were eliminated by France last Saturday.

The goal to break the deadlock was Messi’s 11th in the World Cup, which made him Argentina’s top World Cup scorer of all time. He surpassed Argentina's great Gabriel Batistuta, per AS.

His assist for Alvarez's second was his ninth assist in the World Cup. It made him the record World Cup assist provider for his country, moving past Diego Maradona.

He plays in his second final on Sunday in a bid to lift the trophy as he enters the twilight of his career.

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Suarez praises Messi

Sports Brief earlier reported on Luis Suarez praising his close friend and former Barcelona teammate Messi.

Suarez was reacting to Messi helping Argentina into the final of the FIFA World Cup with a brilliant display against Croatia.

The Paris Saint-Germain attacker scored one goal and assisted another as Croatia were beaten 3-0 by the South American side.