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The Argentine players kept their cool in the shootout after Kylian Mbappe had forced extra time and penalties with a hat-tick in a pulsating final.
France had come from two goals down to level over 90 minutes with Kylian Mbappe netting twice in two minutes.
Scaloni was evasive when asked if he would deploy a three-man defence as he did for the quarterfinal against the Netherlands, to give right full-back Nahuel Molina support against France's lightning-fast star player Kylian Mbappe.
France are hoping to become just the third side after Italy (1938) and Brazil (1962) to successfully defend the title.
The number of assists by a player is considered in the case of a tie for goals scored.
Croatia, who came from behind to beat Japan and Brazil on penalties in the last two rounds, tried to hit back in the second half but failed to open any real cracks in the Argentine defence.
Messi converted a penalty to break the deadlock in the 34th minute, while Alvarez made it 2-0 five minutes later. Messi provided the assist as Alvarez scored his second in the 69th.
Lionel Messi scored a brilliant goal in the first half as Argentina won 2-1 in the round-of-16 encounter.
Argentina will meet the Netherlands in the quarterfinals.
Poland too progressed, with a better goal difference, after Mexico best Saudi Arabia 2-1.