Despite being well beaten on the night, Kovacic and his compatriots can be rightly proud of reaching the last four of the World Cup again, although they could not repeat their exploits of 2018 and make it to the final. Two goals in five minutes before half-time proved too much for the Croatians to overcome on this occasion, having fought back against Japan and Brazil to prevail on penalties in previous rounds.

They will instead contest the third/fourth-place play-off against either Morocco or France on Saturday.

Kovacic lined up in the Croatia’s midfield three as usual, and set the tone for a bright Croatia start with one early burst through the lines. He was then wiped out in front of the dugouts after a clever flick around the corner, although surprisingly no foul or yellow card was given.

Shortly after the midway point of the half, Kovacic pressed and robbed Lionel Messi of possession, stayed on his feet after an attempted Messi foul, then produced a silky turn on halfway and sped forward before finding Andrej Kramaric, who was fouled. The free-kick came to nothing.

Argentina had offered almost nothing going forward but on the half-hour, Luka Modric was dispossessed in midfield and suddenly the South Americans were in. One-on-one, Julian Alvarez knocked the ball passed Dominik Livakovic before being wiped out by Croatia’s keeper.

The referee awarded a penalty and Kovacic was booked for his protests. The hitherto quiet Messi thumped his penalty into the top right-hand corner past tournament spot-kick expert Livakovic.

Five minutes later it was 2-0. Croatia wasted a corner and with many of their players ahead of the ball, Alvarez bulldozed his way through the heart of the defence. A bit of fortune and some very suspect defending later and the ball was in the net, Alvarez volleying past Livakovic after a second attempted clearance ricocheted in his favour.

It needed a stunning save from Livakovic to deny Alexis Mac Allister, who had headed goalwards from a corner before the break.

Croatia boss Zlatko Dalic made three changes within five minutes of the second half starting to try and give the Vatreni some attacking impetus, and a bit more presence in the final third. It worked as Croatia immediately looked more dangerous, although it did need a good save from Livakovic to stop Messi ending the contest once and for all.

However, on 69 minutes, Messi did just that. Some outrageous skill down the right was too good for Josko Gvardiol, and from the pass that followed Alvarez couldn’t miss from six yards out.

There were chances at both ends as the game drew to a close, Kovacic playing the full 90 minutes at the Lusail Stadium on a disappointing night for our midfielder and Croatia.

Hakim Ziyech is now the only remaining Chelsea player in with a chance of winning the World Cup this year. They play France on Wednesday night.