Messi Alvarez Modric GFXGetty/GOAL

Lionel Messi is not normal! Winners and losers as Argentina ace defies age, logic and Croatia to reach World Cup final

How is Lionel Messi still doing this?! The man is 35 years of age. And yet he's back in a World Cup final after playing a pivotal role in Argentina dismantling Croatia in a rousing 3-0 win at the Lusail Stadium.

In a record-equalling 25th World Cup appearance, Messi made yet more history, becoming the first man since records began in 1966 to score and assist in the same World Cup game for the fourth time.

And what an assist!

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With Argentina 2-0 up thanks to a Messi penalty and the luckiest great goal you'll probably ever see from Julian Alvarez, the diminutive No.10 tormented the highly-rated Josko Gvardiol on the right flank before cutting the ball back for his strike partner to score his second of the evening.

The fans behind the goal immediately bowed before their god once more, and why wouldn't they? What Messi has already achieved in Qatar is super-human.

However, with the help of Lionel Scaloni and a mix of exciting young talents and valiant veterans, he will have another chance to rewrite the record books on Sunday.

His 26th World Cup appearance will be a final. He will have the chance to win the Golden Ball, the Golden Boot and the trophy that would remove any lingering doubt over the identity of the greatest player of all time.

GOAL runs through all of the winners and losers from another historic night for the one and only Lionel Messi...