LUSAIL, Qatar – Argentina and Croatia will go to battle as they look to reach another World Cup final in recent years when they face off in the first of the last-four clashes on Tuesday at 9:00pm CLT at the Lusail Stadium.
Croatia will be looking to reach back-to-back finals after being beaten by France in Russia four years ago, but will go into their clash with a huge boost having knocked out favourites Brazil in the last round.
Argentina meanwhile were the beaten finalists in Brazil back in 2014 but having overcome a stubborn Holland on penalties will now believe they can go all the way with Lionel Messi in their ranks.
It promises to be a fascinating encounter, with both sides having beaten each other twice in the five times they have played since first meeting in 1994, with this their third World Cup tie.
Croatia has already ended Neymar’s World Cup dream. Now it hopes to do the same to Lionel Messi.
Croatia, runner-up in 2018, is the next obstacle for Argentina to overcome in the semi-finals as Messi aims to win the one major trophy that has eluded him.
But Croatia, which lost to France in the final in Russia, is on its own mission to go one step further this time around.
“I don’t think we need to fear anybody. We need to look at ourselves to play our best game,” defender Josip Juranovic said according to AP.
“I would say the secret of our success is our togetherness, our unity. The fact that we act and play as a family.”
Neymar was left in tears after Croatia beat Brazil 4-2 on penalties following a 1-1 draw through extra time in their quarterfinal match.
Messi has been in inspired form during Argentina’s run to the semifinals, scoring four goals in five games. His assist for Nahuel Molina against the Netherlands in the quarter-finals was a moment of magic from the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner.
Messi appears to have taken it on himself to lead his country to its third World Cup triumph and a first since 1986.
Argentina last reached the final in 2014 — losing 1-0 to Germany at the Maracana Stadium in Brazil. That was as close as Messi has come to lifting soccer’s biggest trophy and he is just one game away from having another shot at it.
Croatia appears calm for now ahead of the game at Lusail Stadium.
“We don’t have a specific plan at least not yet for stopping Lionel Messi,” Croatia striker Bruno Petkovic said.
“Usually we don’t concentrate on just stopping one player but the whole team.
“The way we approach that is we need to stop them as a team. Not by man marking or some kind of similar tactics. Argentina is not only Messi.”
One of Croatia’s main strengths is a midfield led by Real Madrid star Luka Modric.
Croatia coach Zlatko Dalić described it as the best midfield in the world after beating Brazil, adding that it “paralyzed” Neymar and Brazil.
“I think Mateo (Kovacic), Luka (Modric) and Marcelo (Brozovic) are the best Croatian midfield in history,” Juranovic added.
“When you pass them the ball it’s safer than having your money in the bank. Everything gets real easy when you play with them.”
“We don’t have a specific plan yet for stopping Messi and usually we don’t concentrate on stopping one player but the entire team,” striker Bruno Petkovic said.
“We will try to stop them as a team and not with man-marking. Argentina are not only Messi, they have a number of great players. We have to stop the entire Argentina team.”
With no players suspended and no injury concerns following the return of defender Borna Sosa, the Croatian team is brimming with confidence and ready for more.
Their midfield comprising captain Luka Modric, Mateo Kovacic and Marcelo Brozovic will be key to dictating the pace, as they did against Brazil, and defender Josip Juranovic said the three were utterly dependable.
“Mateo, Luka and Marcelo are the best Croatia midfield in history. I don’t think it can be repeated. When you pass them the ball it is safer than having your money in the bank,” the defender said.
Super-sub Petkovic scored the 117th-minute equaliser against Brazil to force penalties, with Croatia having now won all four of the shootouts they have taken part in at World Cups.
“I think many people who are not professional footballers can take successful penalties,” Petkovic said.
“The difference is how mentally tough you are. There is huge pressure you have never experienced before. But it also helps when you have a world class keeper.”
Tuesday’s Fixture
Argentina vs Croatia 9:00pm CLT
