World Cup fans in a frenzy over detail in Lionel Messi photo

An image of Lionel Messi and his Argentina teammate Julian Alvarez - taken some 10 years ago - has left the football world in meltdown after re-emerging in the wake of the team's 3-0 semi-final victory over Croatia at the World Cup. The pair starred for Los Albiceleste in what was the most complete performance from Lionel Scaloni's side during the tournament, with Messi scoring one and Alvarez grabbing a brace in the impressive victory for the two-time champions.

Argentina will watch on anxiously now to see whether they face World Cup holders France or African history-makers Morocco in the decider, with the second semi-final being played on Thursday morning (AEDT). For Messi, Monday morning's final will be his second World Cup decider - Argentina lost the other one to Germany in 2014 - in what might be his last appearance at the tournament.

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Manchester City striker Alvarez is at the opposite end of his international career and has emerged as one of the breakout talents in Qatar. However, few could have imagined that the pair would be competing side-by-side for Argentina's first World Cup title since 1986, when they posed for a photo together a decade ago.

Now 22, Alvarez would only have been 12 at the time and was clearly chuffed at the privilege of having his photo taken with his childhood idol. Little did Messi or Alvarez know that in 10 years' time they would be combining so beautifully together for their country, on the world's biggest stage.

Fans clearly can't get enough of the decade-old photo, with the image going viral as fans soak up the significance of the happy-snap on social media.

Monday morning's (AEDT) final could be the perfect way for Messi to bow out on the international stage, with the World Cup trophy the only major piece of silverware missing from the Argentine magician's extraordinary trophy collection.

Widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, the Paris Saint-Germain superstar is embracing the responsibility of leading Argentina towards what could be their third World Cup title, and has now scored in five of his six games in Qatar.

Messi masterclass powers Argentina into World Cup final

Messi opened the scoring from the penalty spot after a sweetly struck effort into the top corner after Alvarez was taken out by Dominik Livakovic, having just got a touch to the ball ahead of Croatia's goalkeeper, before the pair clattered into one another.

Alvarez doubled his side's lead moments later after poking home his first goal at the end of a surging run from halfway, which started from a crucial Messi touch just inside Croatia's half. The Manchester City striker rode his luck after benefiting from a number of fortuitous rebounds off the hapless Croatian defenders, before volleying past Livakovic.

The third goal - again scored by Alvarez - was undeniably the pick of the bunch and came after a mesmerising run from Messi that has been a trademark of the Argentinian great for so many years. The 35-year-old stood up Croatian defender Joško Gvardiol with an incredible piece of trickery, before cutting the ball back from the byline for Alvarez to sweep home, in a run and assist that was described by viewers as "insane" and "ridiculous".

Messi's man-of-the-match display came after he equalled German legend Lothar Matthaus all-time World Cup appearance record, playing in his 25th game on the biggest stage win what is his fifth World Cup. Set to The Argentine maestro will break the record in the final - barring injury or some unforeseen mishap.

After the game, Messi was quick to praise Argentina's "very intelligent" squad and "excellent technical staff" in Qatar, where their tournament started with a shock 2-1 defeat to Saudi Arabia in the same venue that will host the final.

"I would say that the first match was a hard blow for all of us because we had been unbeaten in 36 matches," Messi said. "To start in such a way in a World Cup was a really hard blow.

"We didn't think that we would lose against Saudi Arabia and so to start it in such a way was an acid test for this whole squad. But, again, this squad proved how strong we are and then we won the other matches.

"It was very difficult, what we did, because every match was a final (for us) and this entails a mental load. We were aware that if we didn't win then things would be more complicated for us.

"We have played five finals, and luckily enough we were able to win the five finals - I hope this will be the same way for the final game. Internally we were confident that we would make it because we know what we are capable of as a squad, as a team.

"Yes, we lost in the first match due to fine details but from then on that really helped us to be stronger and to be able to grow even more in this tournament and also to grow internally as a squad."

with agencies

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