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Lionel Messi confirmed that the Qatar 2022 final will be his last World Cup game for Argentina after starring in their semi-final win over Croatia.

The 35-year-old opened the scoring from the spot against Croatia and provided Julian Alvarez with an assist for one of his two goals as Argentina ran out comfortable 3-0 winners. Messi can now look forward to his second World Cup final appearance, having finished as a runner-up in 2014, but he has admitted that it is likely to be his last outing in the international competition.

"I am very happy for finishing my journey in World Cups in a final, to play the last game in a final. That is really very gratifying," Messi told reporters after the game.

"Everything that I lived in this World Cup has been emotional, seeing how much it has been enjoyed in Argentina. There are a lot of years from this year to the next one. I don't think I will be able to do that. To finish this way is brilliant.''