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It all begins on Wednesday morning, with Argentina taking on 2018 finalists Croatia, for a spot in the biggest game in world football.
Much of the focus will be on Lionel Messi, with this likely being the 35-year-old’s final chance to win the one major trophy that has eluded him during his illustrious career.
The last time Argentina won the men’s FIFA World Cup was back in 1986.
‘Mexico 86’ was the third FIFA World Cup that Tyler worked on as a commentator.
So, it’s fitting the legendary caller will be behind the microphone, for what could be the defining moment of Messi’s career, just like the 1986 tournament was for Diego Maradona.
Tyler told SBS Sport that this tournament will be remembered as Messi’s World Cup, if Argentina are to lift the trophy at Lusail Stadium.
“It is against the odds, whereas I don’t think it was against the odds for Diego Maradona in 1986,” Tyler said.
“It will be maybe more of Messi’s World Cup, than it was Maradona’s in 1986, but only by a snitch.”
“We are all romantics and are all a bit sentimental about the game. If we wrote a novel about the World Cup of 2022, we would have Messi winning it wouldn’t we? It looks as though he has a chance of turning what might have been fiction into reality. “
Maradona was 25 when he led the Albiceleste to World Cup glory, playing a starring role, scoring five goals and providing five assists.
Through five games of Qatar 2022, Messi has scored four goals and provided two assists.
“For Messi to do it at the age of 35, when people are saying for example, look at the first game (a 2-1 loss to Saudi Arabia) where Argentina, with all its elder statesmen, were not going to be able to compete properly in this FIFA World Cup.
“Messi has orchestrated almost everything that’s happened. He’s scored the goals, made the goals and he looks like no fading star. I think that’s a great compliment to his fitness, dedication and skill. If they get the ball to him, he makes match-winning moments happen, he’s a genius.”
“There’s more stealth about Messi. He picks their pockets whereas Maradona could go toe to toe with defenders. He (Maradona) wouldn’t be afraid of a nightclub bouncer.”
Tyler didn’t call the final in 1986, but he was behind the microphone when Maradona scored his famous ‘hand of god’ goal against England in the quarter-finals.
Maradona’s second goal of that match is still largely considered the greatest in FIFA World Cup history.
“I’ve always felt that the second goal was worth two goals, so I’ll forgive him for the first one,” Tyler joked.
Fittingly, Messi’s first international goal came against Croatia back in 2006.
He’s since scored 94 times for his country and another goal on Wednesday morning will go a long way to deciding if Argentina makes the final.
How to watch the Argentina v Croatia semi-final on SBS
Wednesday, December 14
Semi-Final - Argentina v Croatia
5:30am - 8:30am (AEDT) - kickoff at 06.00am
LIVE on SBS and SBS On Demand
