ARGENTINA VS CROATIA: PREVIEW

In what has been one of the most exciting World Cups in history, we are now down to the final 4. The first semi-final is tonight, with South American champions Argentina taking on the beaten finalists from 4 years ago, Croatia, in the Lusail Iconic Stadium in Qatar.

Argentina have made it to their first World Cup semi-final since 2014 when they were defeated by Germany and yet again all the country's hopes rest on the shoulders of all-time great and captain Lionel Messi, who at 34, is leading the charge for glory in what is most likely his final World Cup and the trophy that has managed to stay out of his reach in an otherwise phenomenal career.

One thing is for sure, Argentina will want to win the game in 90 minutes to avoid extra time and penalties with a stubborn Croatia whose last 2 knockout games have gone to extra time and indeed, the Croatians reached the final of 2018's tournament without winning a single knockout game in normal time, and are also unbeaten in 11 games heading into this clash. Only three other nations in World Cup history have reached back-to-back finals, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands and the chequered ones will be hoping to join that elite list. Their talisman and captain Luka Modric has been integral to his country's success in recent years. At 38 years old, this World Cup seems to be his final curtain on the international stage, so winning it would be the pinnacle of a trophy laden career for the little magician.

Manager Lionel Scaloni's Argentina enter the semi-finals having made the net ripple twice in each of their last 14 games, but coming up against the resilient and staunch defensive capabilities and counter attacking action of Croatia is a challenge that Messi and co must prepare for with precise planning and diligence.


When it comes to goals for Croatia, manager Zlatko Dalić can take confidence from the fact that they have never failed to score in all of their 10 World Cup knockout fixtures previously.

Croatia and Argentina have met twice before in the World Cup, both times in the group stages, with La Albiceleste prevailing 1-0 way back at France ‘98, but the Croats secured a historic 3-0 win in Russia four years ago. Several members of that team, including Angel Di Maria and of course Messi, are still around to try and ensure lightning strikes twice tonight in Lusail.

Croatia's defenders have put their hearts and souls into the games so far and Argentina did not do a very convincing job of breaking down the Dutch back line before the individual brilliance of Messi once again carried them to victory. Scaloni will no doubt hope that his enviable wealth of attacking options will put the game to bed in normal time, but nobody would be surprised to see another 120 minutes and penalties decide this one to set up a tantalising battle with Morocco or France.

Whatever happens tonight, the pride of a nation is in the players' hands and us neutrals can look forward to yet another exhilarating example of knock-out tournament football.