World Cup: Argentina's Julian Alvarez takes his chance, and then some

LUSAIL, Qatar - It was always going to take something special to steal the limelight from Lionel Messi on the night he matched Lothar Matthaus’ 25-match World Cup appearance record,

but Julian Alvarez managed it,

albeit with a bit of help from the great man.

Tuesday’s semi-final had been cagey, with Croatia having most of the possession, before Alvarez burst through to chase a long ball and was brought down by goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic for a penalty that Messi converted in the 34th minute.

Five minutes later, Alvarez again charged from the halfway line, rode his luck as two attempted tackles merely kept the ball bobbling in his path, and nudged in the second goal.

He put the game beyond reach in the 70th minute with a simple finish, after 35-year-old Messi had produced a piece of magical control to hit the byeline and pull the ball back for his delighted 22-year-old teammate.

While Messi will now hope to bow out as an absolute superstar of the world game with the one trophy to elude him on his 172nd appearance in Sunday’s final, Alvarez is just getting started in his career.

In Haaland’s shadow

After signing for Manchester City on his 22nd birthday, Alvarez has hardly set the Premier League alight, perhaps unfortunate to be striving to make his name in the shadow of Erling Haaland, chalking up three goals in 12 less-than-memorable appearances.

The Argentinian could have been playing for Real Madrid after he impressed in trials in the Spanish capital when he was 11, scoring two goals in five appearances to help them win a youth tournament in 2011.

But he was too young then and Real could not sign him owing to a rule which prohibited them from acquiring foreign players under the age of 13.

He also had trials with Boca Juniors before joining rivals River Plate from local side Atletico Calchin in 2016.

When he was with River, he won the Copa Libertadores, Copa Argentina and Primera Division, among other trophies.

Alvarez was also the Primera Division’s top scorer in 2021 with 20 goals in 35 games, while also being named the South American Footballer of the Year.

The path after that was straightforward – he once admitted he loves to take control of City on the popular computer game Fifa.

“On the PlayStation I play with Barcelona or Manchester City,” he said in 2020.

“Playing in Europe is most people’s dream because of those leagues’ quality and what it means to be at those clubs.

“But I am taking it easy. Later the time will come, through the work I am doing.”

That moment finally arrived in 2022, when he signed a 5½-year contract with City in January and joined Pep Guardiola’s side in July.

On the international front, he arrived in Qatar with three goals and behind Lautaro Martinez in the pecking order to play alongside Messi.

Argentina’s shock 2-1 defeat by Saudi Arabia

in the opener shook things up though and when he got his first start of the tournament in the third group game against Poland, he grabbed the opportunity by

scoring in the 2-0 win.

He added another in the 2-1 win over Australia and on Tuesday became the youngest player to score two in a World Cup semi-final or final since 17-year-old Pele in 1958, taking his tally in Qatar to four and virtually securing a starting berth in Sunday’s final.

“Today I think Julian was a standout above all else. He played an extraordinary game,” Messi said.

“He opened the way for us, he fought, he ran, he hit everyone. I think he was extremely important as he has been throughout the World Cup.”

Despite scoring twice and earning the penalty for the other, Alvarez was overlooked for the Man of the Match award, which was given to Messi.

He will not care a jot about that, however, as he enjoys the ride of his life. REUTERS