From that point on, it was only a formality as Croatia probed and Argentina diligently defended, keeping the score at 3-0, with the attitude that “we are already in the final.”

When Italian referee Danielle Orsato blew the final whistle after 90 minutes extra five minutes of play, there were cheers from the Argentines and “tears” from Luka Modric and his fellow compatriots.

Messi has now scored more goals for Argentina than any other player in World Cup history and is the only player to do so in three straight World Cup games.

On Sunday, December 18, Argentina will now have to wait to see who prevails in the contest between France and Morocco.