FIFA World Cup semi-finals: Lionel Messi’s Argentina search for finals push vs Luka Modric’s disciplined Croatia

FIFA World Cup semi-finals, Argentina vs Croatia: Lionel Messi’s Argentina have had a superb run after their debacle within the first group stage match. But they are going to be up in opposition to Croatia, who’ve knocked out favourites Brazil to reach on the semis of the competitors.

Lionel Messi’s Argentina will likely be up in opposition to Luka Modric’s Croatia within the first FIFA World Cup semi-finals.

By India Today Web Desk: Doha’s Lusail Stadium is about to host the primary semi-final of the FIFA World Cup, set to performed on Tuesday, 13 December. Lionel Messi’s Argentina are set to be up in opposition to a disciplined Croatia of Luka Modric, a crew that has flown below the radar on this version of the match.

In basic, it’s tough for a World Cup finalist from the earlier version of the match to not be within the highlight, however Croatia have, largely for the truth that they don’t have a famous person worth hooked up to them. They have gotten just a little assist in that on account of their play model and outcomes, having drawn their final three fixtures within the match. For that matter, Croatia have drawn 4 out of their 5 video games within the 2022 marketing campaign, having solely defeated Canada by a 4-1 margin within the group levels.

Argentina alternatively woke after their shock 1-2 loss in opposition to Saudi Arabia of their first group stage sport. Lionel Messi’s facet, who got here into the match with a powerful undefeated report since April 2019, have received three out of the 5 video games, and crushed Netherlands through a penalty shoot-out within the quarter-finals fixture.

120-minutes

Croatia will likely be coming into the sport, completely cooked, after enjoying two 120-minute matches in opposition to Japan within the Round of 16 after which Brazil within the quarter-final. However, coach Zlatko Dalic has vouched that fatigue wouldn’t be an issue for his facet, who’ve proven unimaginable mettle to get out of hassle within the knockout levels of the match.

Lionel Messi’s Argentina had the identical drawback in opposition to Netherlands, and for the 2 ageing outfits, it will likely be a problem to maintain the gamers match. Going into the semi-finals, Croatia shouldn’t have any of their gamers injured, whereas Argentina won’t have the providers of Papu Gomez, who remains to be recovering from an ankle harm.

Cautions

Argentina vs Netherlands noticed a report variety of yellow playing cards, with 15 individuals getting booked on the sector. Barring these, 4 extra playing cards have been proven within the sport, one pink and three extra yellows for the gamers and employees who have been on the bench.

A excessive tempered sport, one which Argentina have publicly known as out the referee for, has seen two essential gamers of their system getting suspended from the semi-finals.

Full backs, Marcus Acuna and Gonzalo Montiel won’t be enjoying their semi-final fixture, after being essential to the crew’s success in all of their profitable matches. Acuna’s overlaps and crossing has been key for Argentina within the matches that they’ve received, and one does surprise, how will they survive with out his passionate runs.

Venue and Timing

Argentina vs Croatia is about to be performed within the Lusail Iconic Stadium on 14 December, Wednesday at 12:30 AM IST.

Broadcast and Streaming

Argentina vs Croatia might be watched on Sports18 on TV and might be streamed over Jio Cinema app.

Predicted Playing XIs

Croatia: Livakovic; Juranovic, Lovren, Gvardiol, Sosa; Modric, Brozovic, Kovacic; Kramaric, Petkovic, Perisic

Argentina: Martinez; Molina, Romero, Otamendi, Tagliafico; De Paul, Fernandez, Mac Allister; Di Maria, Messi, Alvarez

Edited By:

Kingshuk Kusari

Published On:

Dec 13, 2022