<div style="text-align: justify; "><b style="font-size: 1rem;">Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said his team would enjoy muted celebrations after reaching the World Cup final with a 3-0 victory over Croatia on Tuesday.</b><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Julian Alvarez scored a brace and Lionel Messi converted a penalty as Argentina won their fifth consecutive match at this tournament after starting with a shock defeat to Saudi Arabia.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">"We'll celebrate because we know it's exciting to advance to the final," Scaloni said after the semifinal. "But we still have one step ahead of us. It's a historic moment that we need to enjoy but that's it. We need to focus on the upcoming match.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Scaloni heaped praise on Messi, who now has five goals and three assists at this tournament. His strike here saw him surpass Gabriel Batistuta as Argentina's all-time leading World Cup scorer with 11 goals.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">"Of course we say that Messi is [the best player ever] and maybe we are narrow-minded because as an Argentine, it's enjoyable. But I have no doubt that he is the best," he said.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">"I have been saying it for a long time. I'm honored to see him train and play. It's exciting because every time you see him play it's a huge source of motivation for Argentinians. It's a privilege to have him in our squad."</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Scaloni also thanked the tens of thousands of Argentinian fans present at Lusail stadium, many of whom began singing hours before the 10pm kick-off and finished well beyond midnight.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">"I have the dream job of all Argentines," he said. "Our people were supporting us throughout and you could feel it. It was unforgettable. We're all pushing in the same direction and we're grateful for to them." XINHUA/UNB</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">bnbd24/kh</div>