FIFA WORLD CUP QATAR 2022: Argentina vs Croatia - Match Review And Prediction 13/12/2022
The Flea has scored in four of Argentina’s five games in the tournament, as Argentina go in search of a first World Cup trophy since 1986 in Mexico.
Argentina will face the 2018 World Cup runner-up, Croatia, in the first semifinal of the tournament. Croatia punched their ticket to the semifinal with a penalty shootout win over Neymar’s Brazil. Zlatko Dalic is aiming for a second straight win against one of the giants of international football.
Argentina and Croatia played five times previously in international football competitions. The teams each won twice and drew once during their five matches.
Croatia won the most recent fixture against Argentina, which came during the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. The teams met in the group stage, with Croatia winning 3-0 thanks to goals from Ante Rebic, Luka Modric, and Ivan Rakitic. Argentina are scarred from the experience.
Argentina just squeezed past the Netherlands in the quarterfinals. Emi Martinez’s goalkeeping brilliance during the penalty shootout enabled Argentina to progress.
However, Argentina’s defence showed weaknesses once more, conceding two goals in the final seven minutes of the game against the Dutch – although the Netherlands’ second goal came in the 11th minute of stoppage time.
The defence isn’t keeping clean sheets for Argentina. La Albiceleste conceded five goals in five games while scoring nine times. Messi has been needed on more than one occasion to pick Argentina out of a bad place and get them through.
How much longer can the Argentine team rely on Messi to score goals? He has four of the nine team goals in the tournament.
Speaking of goals, Croatia are not scoring them. The Blazers needed penalties in both knockout stage matches. The games ended 1-1 with Croatia coming from behind to force extra time and penalties against Japan and Brazil.
You cannot count Croatia out of games, as they are the comeback kings in the 2022 FIFA World Cup. If the semifinal goes to penalty kicks, both teams have strong goalkeepers. Dominik Livakovic has stolen the show in goal for Croatia and is now a wanted man by clubs around Europe.
Neither manager has any injury issues going into the game. Dalic and Lionel Scaloni will be able to select from their best players.
Messi should carry Argentina through this game, just as he has the five previous matches in the World Cup. It may not be enough, as Croatia pick up a third straight 1-1 draw and force extra time on Tuesday.
