Qatar 2022 Match Preview, Semi-final Argentina Vs Croatia:

Written By Onyeka Daniel

Argentina will face Croatia at the Lusail Iconic stadium in the first semi-final game of the Qatar 2022 World Cup and both teams will fancy their chances of advancing to the final ahead of each other. They’ve had a different journey to this stage, but only one team will make it to the final and get a chance to lift the trophy.

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Since their opening game shocking defeat to Saudi Arabia, Argentina have gone from strength to strength, winning their last four games through hard work and grit and nothing symbolizes that grit than their last game in the Quarter-final against Netherlands where they were 2 nil up before allowing their opponent back into the game. Should they go on to win the World Cup, that defeat will play a major role in their success.

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They did hold on through extra time and penalties to advance ahead of the Dutch, but that never say die spirit will be put to a huge test against Croatia. One good stat that will count in their favor is that they’ve never failed to reach the final after having reached the last four with their recent Copa America win a game recent memory. After getting the better of Brazil in the previous round, the Croats will be hoping to do a double over two powerful South American footballing nations by defeating Argentina, but they will need to dig deeper than they did against Brazil.

But if there’s any team that can defeat Argentina at this point, then it’s definitely Croatia, as their coach said recently, “We are experienced and we are raised as fighters,” Zlatko Dalic said on Croatia’s ability to keep on digging deep against Brazil.

“Only Croats can do that,” he added. Dalic will be hoping to mastermind another win over Argentina at the World Cup after doing it four years ago in Russia where they won 3-0, but that game was a group stage match. Many players in both sides of the team from that game in Nizhny Novgorod Stadium are still in their respective team with Lionel Messi, Luka Modric, Marcelo Brozovic, Nicolas Otamendi, Ivan Perisic a few names set to meet again.

Style Of Play

Argentina will play their usual 4-3-3 formation but with a slight variation as Messi will be playing predominantly in the attacking midfield role behind two strikers. This will in turn put the Croatian midfield, where their strength lies, on their toes as they try to curtail him from doing much damage. Croatia on their part will be using the 4-1-2-3 formation but it’s actually a 4-3-3 formation with three central midfielders.

All three of their midfielders can be decisive and multi-dimensional, hence can adapt to any role. Their defense has been really underrated with a combination of quality goalkeeping from Livakovkic and the great understanding between Dejan Lovren and Josko Gvardiol at the heart of their defense that has conceded more than one goal in a match at the World Cup.

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Argentina, they’ve 16 wins, one loss and 3 draws in the same number of games. Croatia in their last 20 games played have 14 wins, 5 draws and just one loss. Head To Head Both teams have faced each other four times, two at the World Cup and two friendly games. They’re even, with two wins each. Argentina defeated Croatia at the World Cup in 1998 in France, while Croatia won their recent encounter which was at the World Cup in Russia.

Players To Watch

For this game, Messi will be on course to create and break several records including being the first player to score and assist in four separate World Cup matches, become Argentina’s all time top scorer if he scores today, equal Maradona’s eight World Cup assists and to equal Lothar Mattheus 25 World Cup appearances, but none will be as satisfying as winning the World Cup. Modric will be at the heart of every good thing that is happening for Croatia and is expected to be at the forefront for this game if they’re to scale through.

Injuries And Suspensions

Argentina will be missing Gonzalo Montiel and Marcus Acuna through suspension while Croatia will have a full squad available.

Verdict

Will be a tight game as both teams will not want to give anything away to their opponent. Argentina will want to avoid dragging the game into extra time which is where Croatia appears to be much stronger. Little details will determine this game with Argentina going through either in 90 minutes or extra time.

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