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Posted: 2022-12-14 00:18:46

With no more double or triple matchdays, all eyes were on the semifinal between Croatia and Argentina in Qatar on Wednesday.

The 2014 runners-up got the 3-0 win over the 2018 runners-up, with Argentina reaching their sixth final, aiming for a third title.

Here are five big talking points from the match.

The most watched hamstring in the world

Argentina's Lionel Messi grabs his left hamstring while on the field during the FIFA World Cup semifinal against Croatia.
Lionel Messi was feeling at his left leg at various points in the match and will be closely watched leading into the final.(Getty Images: Julian Finney)

At about the 20-minute mark of the first half, Lionel Messi was poking and prodding at his left hamstring while standing away from the play.

Argentina's attack sprung to life from that moment and they led 2-0 15 minutes later, so it seemed a momentary blip, but then he came out of the tunnel for the second half once again grabbing at his left leg.

He seemed to be pushing at his groin, glute and thigh, and while it didn't seem to affect his ability to impact the game, you'd think the 35-year-old will spend a lot of time in the cryo chamber in coming days.

Injury or no, Messi makes magic happen

Argentina's Lionel Messi runs away with arms outstretched after scoring a goal against Croatia in the FIFA World Cup semifinal.
Messi's penalty took him ahead of Gabriel Batistuta as Argentina's most prolific goal-scorer at World Cups.(Getty Images: Michael Regan/FIFA)

First came the penalty, which on the surface appeared Messi had little to do with creating, but replays showed Croatia defender Joško Gvardiol drawn too far towards midfield by the threat of Messi, creating acres of space in behind.

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