FIFA :Argentina vs Croatia - World Cup semi-final: Team news, lineups & prediction, Live Stream.
MATCH UPDATES👇
Argentina host Croatia on Tuesday evening in a World Cup semi-final between the competition's last two silver-medallists.
Both nations endured physically and emotionally draining quarter-finals which were sent to penalties by a late equaliser. Argentina managed to recover from the shock of a quick-fire Dutch double to win on spot-kicks - unlike their South American rivals Brazil. Croatia extended their 100% record to five successive shootouts at the expense of the Selecao.
This is a meeting between two camps which have expertly harnessed any whisper of a negative comment - however seemingly harmless it may sound to a neutral - to galvanise the team this tournament.
Here's everything you need to know about what promises to be a spellbinding - and spiky - semi-final that could go all the way.
Where are Argentina vs Croatia playing?
Location: Al Daayen, Qatar
Stadium: Lusail Iconic Stadium
Date: Tuesday 13 December
Kick-off time: 19:00 GMT / 14:00 ET / 11:00 PT
Argentina vs Croatia H2H Results (All Time)
Argentina: 2 Wins
Croatia: 2 Wins
Draws: 1
Current Form (Last Five Games)
Argentina: LWWWW
Croatia: DWDWW
Argentina team news
There were fears that Rodrigo De Paul would miss the quarter-final with the Netherlands through injury which both the manager, Lionel Scaloni, and the player himself vehemently dismissed. De Paul lasted for 66 minutes before he was replaced by Leandro Paredes.
A record-breaking 18 cards were dished out in Argentina's full-blooded final-eight encounter. Given that tally, it's impressive that only two of Scaloni's players are suspended. Fullbacks Marcos Acuna and Gonzalo Montiel will sit out the meeting with Croatia.
Argentina predicted lineup vs Croatia
Argentina Starting 11 (4-3-3): E Martinez; Molina, Romero, Otamendi, Tagliafico; De Paul, Fernandez, Mac Allister; Di Maria, Messi, Alvarez.
Bench: Armani, Rulli, Li Martinez, Pezzella, Foyth, Paredes, Rodriguez, Palacios, Almada, Gomez, Correa, Dybala, La Martinez.
Croatia team news
Four players went into Croatia's quarter-final one caution away from a suspension - including the instrumental midfielders Luka Modric and Mateo Kovacic - but managed to walk the disciplinary tightrope. Zlatko Dalic is expected to have a fully fit and available squad to select from.
Croatia predicted lineup vs Argentina
Croatia Starting 11 (4-3-3): Livakovic; Juranovic, Lovren, Gvardiol, Sosa; Modric, Brozovic, Kovacic; Kramaric, Petkovic, Perisic.
Bench: Grbic, Ivusic, Sutalo, Vida, Erlic, Barisic, Stanisic, Jakic, Sucic, Majer, Vlasic, Orsic, Livaja, Pasalic, Budimir
Argentina vs Croatia betting tips
Match result
Draw – Argentina’s last two World Cup semi-finals have ended as draws, while Croatia have drawn six of their last nine World Cup games, including the last three.
Argentina to win and score twice – Argentina’s last four wins at the World Cup have seen them score exactly two goals, including all three wins at the 2022 tournament.
Both teams to score – Both teams have scored in eight of Croatia’s last 10 matches at the World Cup, while Argentina have both scored and conceded in five of their last seven World Cup games.
Tags:
FIFA