Argentina have recovered from the shock of shedding their opening recreation in Qatar to Saudi Arabia and made the final 4 with an exhausting win on penalties towards the Netherlands on the finish of a fractious quarterfinal on Friday.
(FromL) Croatia’s ahead #18 Mislav Orsic, Croatia’s defender #22 Josip Juranovic, Croatia’s midfielder #07 Lovro Majer, Croatia’s midfielder #10 Luka Modric, Croatia’s ahead #16 Bruno Petkovic, Croatia’s defender #06 Dejan Lovren, Croatia’s defender #20 Josko Gvardiol, Croatia’s ahead #17 Ante Budimir and Croatia’s midfielder #04 Ivan Perisic put together for penalty shoot-out through the Qatar 2022 World Cup quarter-final soccer match between Croatia and Brazil at Education City Stadium in Al-Rayyan, west of Doha, on 9 December 2022. Picture: NELSON ALMEIDA/AFP
DOHA – Lionel Messi and Argentina’s World Cup dream stays alive however an indefatigable Croatia aspect impressed by the enduring brilliance of Luka Modric stands of their means in Tuesday’s semifinal in Doha.
Argentina have recovered from the shock of shedding their opening recreation in Qatar to Saudi Arabia and made the final 4 with an exhausting win on penalties towards the Netherlands on the finish of a fractious quarterfinal on Friday.
Having been 2-0 up and cruising after 83 minutes, with Messi organising one purpose in chic vogue and netting a penalty, they conceded twice late on and needed to survive further time earlier than triumphing 4-3 in a shoot-out.
Backed by an unlimited contingent of travelling supporters who’ve introduced the eagerness, noise and color of Argentina’s personal stadiums to this World Cup, Messi and his teammates are beginning to imagine this actually might be their 12 months.
“We have balls, passion, heart and we are doing this for 45 million people,” mentioned goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, and Argentina’s optimism now has solely elevated after seeing nice rivals Brazil exit within the final spherical.
Now aged 35, this has been billed as Messi’s final likelihood to win a World Cup, eight years on from Argentina’s defeat within the final to Germany in Rio de Janeiro.
He is decided to grab the prospect and has already scored his first two targets within the knockout rounds of any World Cup, netting towards Australia within the final 16 earlier than his penalty towards the Dutch.
World Cup glory would full a beautiful profession for the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner, who’s presumably the best membership participant ever.
After years of being unfulfilled at worldwide stage he impressed Argentina to victory eventually 12 months’s Copa America, however he is aware of there are not any extra dogged or sturdy opponents than Croatia.
After all, any sense of aid at avoiding having to play Brazil within the final 4 can be tempered by the prospect of dealing with a Croatian aspect who knocked out the favourites on penalties and by no means know when they’re crushed.
“They are a great team who matched up to Brazil and at times were much better,” admitted Messi.
“They have good players across the whole midfield and they have been working with the same coach since the last World Cup, so they all know each other very well.”
‘SAFER THAN MONEY IN THE BANK’
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni switched to a five-man defence towards the Netherlands as he introduced Lisandro Martinez into his line-up.
But the midfield is at all times key towards Croatia, with Modric nonetheless controlling video games at 37 and Marcelo Brozovic and Mateo Kovacic finishing a formidable trio.
After reaching the final 4 years in the past, Croatia have crushed Japan and Brazil on penalties to make the semis right here.
They have gone to further time in eight of their final 9 main match knockout matches and the nation of simply 4 million individuals has nothing to lose as they eye a spot within the final towards France or Morocco.
And in Modric they’ve a grasp, the 2018 Ballon d’Or winner who starred as Croatia beat Argentina 3-0 within the group stage 4 years in the past.
“I think Mateo, Luka and Marcelo are the best midfield in history. When you pass them the ball, it is safer than having your money in the bank,” mentioned Josip Juranovic, one other standout at right-back.
“We are so lucky to have them in the team.”
Modric’s historical past with Argentina goes again to 2006, when he made his worldwide debut for Croatia aged 20 in a pleasant between the groups.
Messi scored in that recreation however Croatia received 3-2. Zlatko Dalic’s group won’t be afraid of Argentina or their quantity 10 when the perimeters meet once more at Lusail Stadium.
Asked about how they might deal with Messi, Croatia ahead Bruno Petkovic responded: “We don’t have a specific plan, at least not yet, for stopping Messi and usually we don’t concentrate on one player, but Argentina is not only Messi.”
Two gamers who won’t characteristic for Argentina, nonetheless, are defenders Gonzalo Montiel and Marcos Acuna, each of whom are suspended.