Argentina vs Croatia match preview: World Cup 2022 semifinal | Qatar World Cup 2022 Information
The place: Lusail Stadium
When: December 13, 10pm (19:00 GMT)
Head-to-head: Argentina wins: 2, Croatia wins: 2, Draw: 1
Highway to the semis:
Argentina
- Misplaced Argentina 2-1 vs Saudi Arabia
- Beat Mexico 2-0
- Beat Poland 2-0
- Beat Australia 2-1
- Beat Netherlands 3-2 on penalties
Croatia
- Drew 0-0 with Morocco
- Beat Canada 4-1
- Drew 0-0 with Belgium
- Beat Japan 3-1 on penalties
- Beat Brazil 4-2 on penalties
Argentina face Croatia in a World Cup semifinal that pits South American aptitude towards the guile of Luka Modric and a outstanding combating spirit.
At Lusail Stadium, Lionel Messi, now 35, will try to information Argentina into the ultimate for the second time in eight years towards the crushed finalists in 2018.
Messi, who suffered defeat to Germany within the 2014 closing, is determined to crown a rare profession by lastly profitable the World Cup and emulating one other Argentinian legend, the late Diego Maradona.
The Paris Saint-Germain ahead was a pivotal determine in Friday’s stormy quarterfinal win over the Netherlands, when a file 18 yellow playing cards have been proven and gamers from either side have been concerned in a melee because the referee fought to regain management.
The match ended with Argentina gamers showing to taunt their distraught Dutch opponents earlier than sprinting away to have fun after a penalty shootout win.
Even the usually mild-mannered Messi was caught up within the unhealthy blood, shouting abuse at Dutch gamers whereas he was being interviewed after the sport.
A query mark hangs over veteran Angel Di Maria and his health, with the 34-year-old having largely been used as an alternative within the event regardless of recovering from harm.
Messi, at 35, taking part in seemingly his final World Cup, is determined to land the one main title lacking from his intensive assortment however he’s additionally carrying the burden of the nation on his shoulders.
Croatia shocking once more
Croatia, who beat Japan and pre-tournament favourites Brazil in penalty shootouts to succeed in the final 4, haven’t received a knockout recreation in regular time at a serious event since they got here third on the 1998 World Cup.
Regardless of doing it the onerous approach, the nation of three.9 million individuals stunned the soccer world by reaching the ultimate 4 years in the past, the place France crushed their goals with a 4-2 win.
Croatia, with Actual Madrid playmaker Modric nonetheless the chief on the pitch on the age of 37, have once more defied the percentages to face getting ready to a second successive closing.
This Croatian group is sort of a sponge. Led by Luka Modrić, they take up large strain and simply once you assume they are going to implode, they wrangle themselves for one closing squeeze.
With no gamers suspended and no harm issues following the return of defender Borna Sosa, Zlatko Dalic’s group is brimming with confidence and prepared for extra.
Tremendous-sub Bruno Petkovic, who scored the equaliser towards Brazil, might earn again his beginning spot over Andrej Kramaric whereas Mario Pasalic is predicted to maintain his in assault.
Tuesday evening can be a conflict between two midfields that don’t hesitate from a scrap. Objectives could also be at a premium, however with Messi and Modric on the pitch, the genius quotient of the sport can be excessive.
