Alexis Mac Allister heads to World Cup final

History made. For the first time in the 121 year existence of Brighton & Hove Albion and the 92 years of the World Cup, Brighton have a player going to a World Cup final – take a bow Alexis Mac Allister.

The Albion midfielder played 86 minutes as Argentina beat Croatia 3-0 at Lusail Stadium, where they will now return on Sunday to face either France or Morocco.

Mac Allister gave an accomplished display on the left side of midfield, a slightly wider position than he has ever been used by Brighton.

He kept possession well, helped get Argentina on the front foot and should have scored on a couple of occasions.

One first half chance saw Mac Allister meet a Lionel Messi corner with a flicked header at the front post, somehow kept out at full stretch by by Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic.

Mac Allister had another opportunity in the second half which he should have done better with. Not that it mattered; by that point the game was well and truly over thanks to La Albiceleste producing their most convincing display of the tournament so far. Argentina appear to be peaking at the perfect time.

A running theme throughout the World Cup has been Brighton players featuring highly in the BBC Player Ratings.

Mac Allister continued that trend with the third highest score, beaten only by the irresistible duo of Messi and Julian Alvarez.

Manchester City forward Alvarez was wiped out by Dominik Livakovic , earning a 34th minute penalty which Messi tucked away to give Argentina the lead.

Five minutes later and Alvarez doubled the advantage. He collected a Messi header inside the Argentina half before embarking on a marauding run 50 yards up the pitch and finishing past Livakovic for a quite spectacular goal.

Alvarez’s second of the game and Argentina’s third was even better. Messi went on a charge up the left back into what appeared to be a blind alley.

Or, would have been a blind alley for any other player in the world. Messi though somehow twisted and turned his way out of it, meandering into the area where he played a perfect pull back to Alvarez who swept home.

The stage is now set for Messi to sign off in his final World Cup match by winning the one trophy which has so far eluded his glittering CV… and if he does do so, Mac Allister will have played a huge role in it.

Argentina have turned things around so much that it does not seem possible their shock opening defeat to Saudi Arabia took place in this same World Cup only four weeks ago.

Mac Allister sat that one out, so why not credit the Albion midfielder with being the spark to have ignited this run to the final?

Argentina are yet to lose a game which Mac Allister has started, a good omen for them going into the World Cup final and their hopes of lifting the famous gold trophy for the first time since 1986.

The reaction and support of Brighton fans for Mac Allister and his compatriots means he will return to Sussex with his reputation and popularity intact, no matter what happens on Sunday evening.

Football fans around the world will hear the name Brighton & Hove Albion when tuning into the World Cup final thanks to Mac Allister.

He has put the Seagulls on the map in a way that no other individual ever has, making it to the biggest game on the planet.

Now imagine if he goes onto win it… Vamos Mac Allister.