No matter what football tradition, history, or FIFA rankings say, there is no such thing as a big or small team in the semifinals of the World Cup. And FIFA World Cup 2022 does not have that at all. Four teams have entered the semifinals as qualifying teams after passing difficult steps one after another. So, the first semifinal between Argentina and Croatia tonight will be a close match.
Time and Venue of Argentina vs Croatia Semi-final Match
Argentina and Croatia will meet in the first semifinal at Lusile Stadium on Tuesday, December 13, at 10 PM local time, and Wednesday, December 14, at 1 AM Bangladesh time.
Argentina vs Croatia: Head-to-Head Record So Far
This is not the first time that the two countries have faced each other on the world stage; these two teams have faced each other before. The two countries met for the first time in 1994 in an international friendly match. The match ended in a goalless draw. Four years later, they met for the second time in the 1998 World Cup, which was a first in the World Cup. In that match, Argentina left the field with a 1-0 victory.
Then in 2006, they met for the third time in an international friendly match. Where the Croats left the field with a 3-2 victory. In 2014, the two teams met again in an international friendly match for the fourth time. Albiceleste left the field with a 2-1 goal difference.
After that, in 2018, they met for the fifth time at the World Cup in Russia. Croatia defeated Argentina 3-0 in that match of the group stage. That memory is still fresh. So, they will surely want to repeat it. However, we will have to wait until the end of the match on December 13 to finally see who wins the crucial semifinal match.
In total 5 matches, Croats won 2 matches, and one ended with no result. However, both countries are equal in World Cup statistics. Argentina and Croatia have won 1 match each in two appearances.
Read More: FIFA World Cup 2022: Semi-Final Round Overview
Argentina's Performance So Far in the FIFA Qatar World Cup 2022: An Overview
Two-time world champions Argentina stepped into the leadership of Lionel Messi in Qatar from 36 matches unbeaten to break the 36-year title drought. But the Albiceleste suffered a big blow in that mission by losing a 2-1 goal against Saudi Arabia in their opening match. Then they won against Poland and Mexico by 2-0 goals in both games. Argentines reached the quarter with a 2-1 victory over Australia in the knock out stage. After that, the Albiceleste confirmed the semifinals once again in 2014 by defeating the Netherlands in a penalty shootout in the quarterfinals. Now they are in the semifinals.
Then they turned around and won four straight games, and now they are in the semifinals, where they got the previous season's runner-up Croatia as an opponent.
Although Argentina is in a good rhythm, they will have to start the match without defenders Gonzalo Montiel and Marcos Acuna, as they received their second yellow card of the tournament in their last match.
Montiel saw his very first yellow card of the World Cup against Saudi Arabia. So Scaloni was playing him consciously, but in the end he was not saved. The defender had to see a yellow card despite coming on as a substitute against the Netherlands in the quarterfinals. According to FIFA rules, he will miss the next match.
Same situation with Acuna. He got a yellow card against the Poland which was the last match of the group stage. He saw second yellow card of the tournament in the second half against the Dutch. Without getting two defenders in the semifinals, Scaloni must be in a tough situation, which will be a weak point for Argentina.
On the other hand, another history will give confidence to the Argentina camp. Argentina did not lose any semifinals in the World Cup. Before the World Cup in Qatar, Argentina had played in the semifinals four times so far, in 1930, 1986, 1990, and 2014. Argentina is the favorite in the semifinals, regardless of the opponent team. Where they never had to see the face of defeat.
Argentina's players to watch:
Lionel Messi, Alexis Mac Allister, Emiliano Martinez.
An Overview of Croatia's Performance in the 2022 World Cup
Meanwhile, Croatia has not lost a single match in Qatar World Cup. With one win and two draws, Croatia entered the last sixteen as group runners-up. After that, the Croats defeated the famous Blue Samurai Japan in the penalty shootout and reached the quarterfinals. And in the first quarterfinal, Croatia defeated the five-time world champion Brazil in a tiebreaker to confirm the semifinal. Where they got two-time world champions Argentina. When Croatia reached the final at the last World Cup, it was, according to many, unexpected. Now Croatia is on the way to the final again.
Croatia got a historic win against the football powerhouse Brazil in the quarterfinals. Neither team scored in the scheduled 90 minutes. In extra time, Brazil's Neymar skillfully broke through the opponent's defense and scored a spectacular goal. But Croatia quickly leveled the score. Croatia beat Brazil 4-2 in a penalty shootout.
Apparently, Croatian captain, Luca Modric has been playing an important as a captain in all their matches. However, Modric is playing a little lower, and his game is acting as Croatia's engine. Modric often played defensively in the quarterfinal against Brazil. Modric's long pass also contributed to the goal that equalized Croatia.
Croatia does not have any injury or suspension report. So, all the regular players will appear in the semifinal.
Croatia's players to watch:
Dominik Livakovic, Josko Gvardiol, Luka Modric.
Read More: Messi, Modric carry Argentina, Croatia into World Cup semis
Probable Starting Squad of Argentina vs Croatia Semi-final Match
How Scaloni will line up the squad against the Croats can only be guessed because he sets everything at the very last moment. Di Maria is returning fully fit, and Rodrigo de Paul will be in the first eleven in midfield. Nicolás Tagliafico will fill Acuna's deficit at left back. Enzo and Mac Allister should start in the first eleven in this match as well.
Argentina:
Martinez, Molina, Romero, Otamendi, Tagliafico, Fernandez, De Paul, Mac Allister, Di Maria, Messi, Alvarez.
Croatia:
Livakovic, Juranovic, Gvardiol, Lovren, Sosa, Modric, Brozovic, Kovacic, Pasalic, Kramaric, Perisic.
Argentina vs Croatia Semi-final Match Result Prediction
Analyzing Croatia's past record and the performance in this World Cup, Messi's team may lose the game in the tiebreaker. There might not be any goals in 90 minutes. Earlier in the World Cup in Russia, Croatia won two tiebreakers in the knockout stages. Along with this, Croatia won the tiebreaker with Japan and Brazil in the 2022 Word Cup so far. Although the team could not keep the ball in the allotted 90 minutes, they contributed well to the tiebreaker.
Who is the Referee in Argentina vs Croatia Semifinal match?
There has been much controversy about the refereeing of the Argentina-Netherlands quarterfinal match. Argentina accused the Spanish referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz was not up to the mark.
Italy's Daniele Orsato has been assigned the role of referee in the Argentina-Croatia match in the semifinals. 47 years old, Orsato has already managed Argentina's matches. He was in charge of the Argentina-Mexico match on the group stage. Earlier, the opening match of the tournament between Qatar and Ecuador was managed by this Italian referee.
In addition to that, Orsato has experience officiating several important matches in the Italian league Serie A and the 2020 UEFA Champions League Final.
Read More: After Neymar, Croatia aim to end Messi’s World Cup dream
Final Words
Croatia has been performing great in this World Cup, and this match will be tough for both teams. However, all the attention will be on Messi, who has been ruling the football world for more than a decade. But, Messi may find difficulties entering Croatia's strong defense. According to the power and rhythm, Croatia is clearly ahead of Argentina. So, the FIFA Qatar World Cup 2022 tournament's Argentina vs Croatia semi-final match will surely be entertaining for the fans.