Messi the genius takes Argentina one step away from history

Messi is just one step away from glory. A single victory separates him from his great dream: to finally be world champion with Argentina. The Albiceleste qualified for the grand final on Tuesday after beating Croatia in a duel that was much more comfortable than expected thanks to the Croatian defensive errors, who lost all the solvency they had shown up to that moment. Messi was once again the undisputed leader of Argentina. He led the team, scored a penalty and invented an extraordinary play in the second half that served to make it 3-0. Another recital of genius from the undisputed No 1 on the planet.

The Argentine star is very close to the only title that is missing from his extensive and brilliant record. The best football player in history does not want to hang up his boots without that World Cup that has resisted him so much. He knows that in Qatar he has one last chance to make his great hope possible: to emulate his idol Maradona. Messi was not even born when 'the hand of God' led Argentina to its second World Cup in Mexico '86. But the legend of Maradona, although he has far surpassed him in football, has always followed him. He now has the opportunity to match the myth. I'm sure he won't lose it.

France and Morocco play the other semi-final of the World Cup tonight. It is a duel as interesting as it is unexpected. The current champion, with 'megastar' Mbappé at the helm, against an African team that has already made history. Morocco has been leaving rivals strewn along the way (topped the group, ahead of Croatia, Belgium and Canada; it eliminated Spain in the round of 16 in the penalty shootout and beat Portugal in the quarter-finals) until it reached where no one could have imagined. France, of course, is favourite. But the selection that Regragui has forged in just three months has shown a solvency and competitiveness that some of the 'big' flops would have wanted to display.

It will be an exciting game that will pit two very different styles against each other. A revealing fact about Morocco: they have only conceded one goal in five World Cup games and it was an own goal (against Canada). It will not be easy for the powerful French team to overcome the Arabs. Therefore, whoever wins, they will be a worthy rival for Argentina in the final.