It was the night of 22nd November.
The third day of the 22nd edition of the World Cup.
Arguably the greatest ever without winning a World Cup, Lionel Messi was finding for some space to breath at Lusail Iconic Stadium after the two-time champions bottled an early lead to 51st ranked Saudi Arabia in their tournament opener.
The pre-tournament favorites were in superb from, on a 36-match unbeaten run, and their charismatic captain Messi was having a wonderful season with Paris Saint Germain, and Argentina.
The result completely changed the scenario for the Albiceleste and turned the following two group matches into knockout scenario.
Lionel Scaloni, the youngest coach in this World Cup, after taking charge of Argentina following their 2018 World Cup hiccup, worked hard to get the players together, and make them believe in themselves.
The 44-year old established his strategy centered around Messi and got the result when he was able to break a long 28-year trophy drought for Argentina with the Copa America triumph in Brazil 2021.
And after falling into the black hole following a stunning defeat to the Saudis, Scaloni was liberal in changing his tactics and formations to turn the results in their favor.
Argentina started their must-win game against Mexico in customary 4-4-2 formation and with Messi leading from the front, scoring a wonderful goal followed by an assist to Enzo Fernandez, they did not face much difficulties to gain the three points.
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In the next match against Poland, their first European opponent in the tournament, Scaloni decided to drop Lautaro Martinez, who was not in good touch lately, for Manchester City youngster Julian Alvarez on the left wing, and placed Messi as the center forward, supported by the veteran Angel Di Maria on the right to form in 4-3-3.
Alvarez scored to double the lead after Alexis Mac Allister found the net from the edge of the box just following resumption, to win the match 2-0 and advance to the round of 16 as Group C champion.
Messi, despite missing a penalty early in the game, played a huge role in Argentina's attacking play with several defense breaking runs to provide for his teammates.
Against Australia in the first real knockout stage, Scaloni fielded the same formation, but without Di Maria due to injury.
Messi scored another individual goal to break the deadlock and Alvarez added another to keep his good run intact.
A late own goal by Enzo wasn't enough for the Socceroos to stop the Argentines from progressing to a last-8 meeting with the Netherlands.
With a history of rough and tough battle in the 2014 World Cup semi-final, Argentina expected a hard time from their European counterparts.
Despite getting results in 4-3-3 in last two games, Scaloni was not afraid to experiment with his formation.
He started with a 5-3-2 formation which converted to 3-5-2 at times as Marcos Acuna and Nahuel Molina were constantly moving up and down by the left and right touchline respectively.
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And even Molina found a sublime no-look assist from Messi to give the lead, before the latter scored from the spot to make it 2-0.
But then some superb tactical execution by Dutch coach Louis Van Gaal and substitute Wout Weghorst scripted a late comeback to restore parity at the very end of stipulated time.
Argentina, despite suffering, were able to get together to reflect in the break and came back strongly in extra-time, especially after the late inclusion of Di Maria, which helped them to get the momentum back in the penalty shootout where Emiliano Martinez emerged as the hero to block two wonderful penalties and send them to second semi-final after 2014.
Croatia after ousting another South American favorite Brazil in the quarters were full of confidence when they met Argentina in the battle for a place in the final.
Scaloni though changed his tactics and returned to their traditional 4-4-2, sending Messi and Alvarez in front of the attack.
Both of them had immense impact where Messi gave the lead from the penalty spot to score his fifth goal in this World Cup after Alvarez was fouled by Croatian goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic.
Alvarez, five minutes later, scored from a solo run that started from their own half and was followed by a lucky deflection in the Croatia penalty box, and another one, before finding the net.
Now they just need to get away with one more game.
France or Morocco, whoever get the other spot in the grand finale, all eyes will inevitably be on Messi again this coming Sunday as the talismanic footballer, in his last dance, will have his final shot at ultimate glory – the World Cup.
