World Cup 2022: How Julian Alvarez is proving key for Argentina

Argentina skipper Lionel Messi has called Julian Alvarez "spectacular" and "extraordinary" aft the 22-year-old's treble against Croatia helped them into the World Cup final.

Argentina, who past won the World Cup successful 1986, look France connected Sunday.

"Nobody imagined Julian would person the information and value helium has shown," said Messi.

"The assistance helium has fixed america has been perfectly spectacular."

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Messi, 35, has dominated the headlines successful Qatar, with a drawstring of starring performances successful what helium has confirmed is his 5th and last World Cup.

He has scored 5 and created 3 of Argentina's 12 goals - leaving Alvarez's publication to spell a small nether the radar.

The young striker was not expected to diagnostic prominently for Argentina this tourney and lone made substitute appearances successful their daze opening decision by Saudi Arabia and the triumph implicit Mexico, with manager Lionel Scaloni initially preferring Inter Milan's Lautaro Martinez.

Alvarez has started the 4 matches since, though, culminating successful his awesome show successful the 3-0 semi-final victory, successful which helium was brought down for Messi's punishment opener, earlier scoring the adjacent 2 goals himself.

"During the full World Cup, but besides connected Tuesday, helium was extraordinary," added Messi. "He ran everything. He fought for everything - creating chances, fighting. For us, helium was the astonishing discovery, and helium deserves everything that has happened to him due to the fact that helium is simply a beauteous guy."

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'Messi - don't run. I'll bash it for you'

Manchester City signed Alvarez from River Plate for 17m euros (£14.1m) successful January 2022.

He agreed a five-and-a-half-year woody with City, but remained astatine the Argentine champions connected indebtedness until July.

This season, helium has made 12 Premier League appearances - mostly from the substitutes' seat - and has scored 3 goals.

Former Argentina and City defender Pablo Zabaleta told BBC Sport Alvarez's "work-rate is unbelievable".

"He's playing alongside Lionel Messi up beforehand and it seems, from the outside, that he's like: 'Messi - don't run. I'll bash it for you,' helium added.

"You request a large bosom [to bash that]. He started astatine the World Cup connected the seat but past [got] 1 accidental and he's been brilliant."

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Former England midfielder Jermaine Jenas said: "At specified a young age, to travel connected to this signifier and enactment successful that benignant of performance, successful that infinitesimal for his state - incredible."

Alvarez's performances successful Qatar volition permission Manchester City fans excited by what is to come.

He has made it 7 goals successful 8 international. He has go lone the 2nd Argentina subordinate to people 4 goals astatine a World Cup portion aged 22 oregon under, aft Gonzalo Higuain successful 2010.

And helium besides became the youngest subordinate to people much than 1 extremity successful a World Cup semi-final since Brazil fable Pele's hat-trick successful a 5-2 triumph implicit France successful 1958.

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