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Messi was at the forefront of yet another dominant Argentinian display in the semi-final on Wednesday (AEDT), providing an assist and netting his fifth goal of the tournament en route to a comfortable 3-0 victory over Croatia.
According to SBS analyst Foster, the 35-year-old was instrumental in breaking down a strong and disciplined Croatian defence which had only conceded three goals in the tournament prior to the match.
The stability of centre-backs Dejan Lovren and RB Leipzig's rising star Joško Gvardiol was noted as a key contributor to Croatia's success at Qatar 2022, having held firm in previous matches as the partnership saw the latter rise to the fore off a string of impressive performances.
However, the attacking prowess of seven-time Ballon d'Or winner Messi proved too much for the duo to handle, leading Foster to analyse how they fell short of preventing an Argentinian attacking masterclass led by their main man.
"They [Argentina] had everything today - build up, control of the game, counter-attack and Messi on the ball, and he was involved in all three goals," Foster said.
The former Socceroo described how La Albiceleste won a first-half penalty which Messi went on to convert.
"So what happens here is [Julian] Alvarez starts to make the move because he knows that he [Messi] can see, because he's got time on the ball and he can get his head up. That's the trigger to go. But watch here, Gvardiol the whole first half was stepping in and making sure that he was very tight to Messi, and he's actually turning around and looking here and staying close to him.
"So, ordinarily when a ball goes over, if you're going to drop in behind to a quick play you don't want to be caught in behind, but both defenders have to hold the same line on the way back. The reason they don't do that is Lionel Messi.
"Here he [Gvardiol] is worried about this player, opens up and it's a beautiful ball to the right-hand side."
The counter-attack resulted in goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic crashing into Argentina's Alvarez to concede the penalty, which sparked a debate between Foster and fellow analyst Mark Bosnich during the half-time show. The argument was brought up yet again during Foster's post-match analysis.
"Here he comes out - he's clearly not going anywhere near the ball, I think he actually makes a step to the right Boz but we'll talk about that later and of course it's going to be debated forever," Foster said.
"Don't start me on the penalty, keep going on your analysis," Bosnich joked.
"But it's about the runs and it's about Messi and what people try to do," Foster continued.
"Now, the trouble with Messi is if you stand off him, he'll get his head up and he'll play someone in and they'll score. If you go tight, that's what he likes. The more you do that, you make a challenge, he skips past you - that's how he beats people."
Foster explained how a clever decision from Messi in the second half allowed his teammates to set him up for a blistering run down the wing, which saw the captain eventually break through Gvardiol and Lovren to set up Alvarez for Argentina's third goal of the match.
"Look at him saying here, I don't want to head this ball. So, he's talking to this guy, saying you come here and you can take the high ball and I'm going to face you and get it. He says, come here mate, come and do this for me," Foster explained.
"So, now he can turn, [and] now you've got a problem because he's facing forward and this ball is going to come to him here. So he knew exactly what he was doing.
"The question is: do you back off and let him have the ball or do you go in and try and win it? The more you go tight, he'll beat you.
"He goes across Gvardiol. The problem for him is that the only time in this move they get two-on-one and Lovren is in position - he arguably shouldn't have moved. Because what happens is, you've got a good run by Alvarez here through the centre which draws him back, (but he) actually should have stayed there so you've still got one-on-one. Now what happens is Gvardiol makes the big mistake - he turns back on his left foot. He now comes here to try and win the ball on this side and Messi now rolls him.
"Now you're in trouble because the next touch goes across your body. He's either got a foul or he's in. Question is: should Lovren come across here, because you've still got two on two? He doesn't - he decides to stay and you must always double team Lionel Messi.
"Gvardiol is the best defender, he's unbelievable. I think he's the most valuable defender in the world, and he got absolutely ripped by Lionel Messi."
The final obstacle standing in the way of Messi and Argentina's World Cup success are defending champions France, who survived a string of Moroccan attacks in their semi-final on Thursday (AEDT) to keep their first clean sheet of the tournament with a 2-0 win.
Messi will look to exploit the backline consisting of full-backs Theo Hernandez and Jules Kounde, while centre-back mainstay Raphael Varane will either be joined by Morocco starter Ibrahima Konate or the recently omitted Dayot Upamecano.
Although the French defence have looked shaky on occasion in Qatar, Messi will still need to produce a performance of similar calibre to the Croatia match in order to lift the World Cup trophy for the first time in his decorated career.
How to watch the 2022 FIFA World Cup final LIVE on SBS
Monday, December 19
Final - Argentina v France
1:30am - 4:30am (AEDT) - kickoff at 02.00am
LIVE on SBS and SBS On Demand
