Lionel Messi has now overtaken Gabriel Batistuta to become Argentina’s all-time top scorer at World Cup tournaments.
The 35-year-old blasted home from the penalty spot to give his Argentina side the lead in the 34th minute, after Julian Alvarez was taken out by Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic.
Messi – who Gary Lineker and others called the GOAT afterwards – made no mistake from 12 yards out, smashing his effort high into the top right corner to notch his 11th goal in the competition.
The Paris Saint-Germain star had moved to 10 goals – and level with Batistuta – as he scored a second-half penalty against Holland in the quarter-finals.
And in putting his side ahead, Messi also drew level with France star Kylian Mbappe on five goals in the race for the Golden Boot.
Messi’s international record has long been criticised, with many picking fellow Argentinian Diego Maradona as their best-ever player, having inspired his country to World Cup victory in 1986.