Argentina vs. Croatia Match Analysis and Prediction

Argentina vs Croatia Match Analysis & Prediction

Argentina

13/12/2022 10:00 pm

Croatia

by Bryce

12 months ago 0 132

DISCLAIMER: All odds are quoted at time the prediction went live. Check the sports book for updated odds

Croatia will aim to reach back-to-back finals when they lock horns with Argentina in Tuesday’s semi-final at Lusail Iconic Stadium.

The penalty prowess of both sides settled nervy quarter-final contests, as Zlatko Dalic’s men dumped Brazil out on spot kicks a few hours before La Albiceleste beat the Netherlands from 12 yards.

Over 2.5: No

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In a match characterized by chaos, feistiness, and unpredictability, Argentina defeated the Netherlands on penalty kicks after extra time to advance to the semifinals.

Lionel Messi scored his team’s first goal in the 11th minute and converted a penalty kick in the 72nd minute after Nahuel Molina drew a foul in the box.

Wout Weghorst scored two goals for the Dutch in extra time, but Argentina held its nerve from the spot to prevail in an epic shootout that featured mass brawls, gamesmanship galore, and 17 yellow cards.

On the day he returned to his homeland, Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic may be asked about the location of his statue.

While Brazil struggled to find a way through the Croatian defence, Neymar scored in the 106th minute with a wonderful goal. Bruno Petkovic’s 117th-minute shot was deflected into the corner, forcing a 12-yard shootout.

Livakovic prevented Brazil from scoring 11 times before saving from Rodrygo in the shootout; delirium ensued when Marquinhos’s effort crashed against the post, allowing Croatia to advance to its second consecutive World Cup semi-final.

Team A

Argentina vs. Croatia Head to head

Both sides have four games against each other with hosts taking two wins while the visitors with also two wins.

21/06/2018

Argentina

0

Croatia

3

World Cup
12/11/2014

Argentina

2

Croatia

1

International Friendlies
01/03/2006

Croatia

3

Argentina

2

International Friendlies
26/06/1998

Argentina

1

Croatia

0

World Cup
13/12/2022

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Argentina Team News

Mateu Lahoz, the referee who booked 17 players in Argentina’s win against the Netherlands, will not be making friends with either camp.

Gonzalo Montiel and Marcos Acuna were suspended for their red cards, but neither was likely to challenge Martin Molina for the right-back berth. Nicolas Tagliafico will step in at the left back for Acuna.

Argentina's Last 5 Matches

09/12/2022

Netherlands

2

Argentina

2

World Cup
03/12/2022

Argentina

2

Australia

1

World Cup
30/11/2022

Poland

0

Argentina

2

World Cup
26/11/2022

Argentina

2

Mexico

0

World Cup
22/11/2022

Argentina

1

Saudi Arabia

2

World Cup

Croatia Team News

Dalic can count on a full squad for the semi-final after Sosa and Orsic recovered from their respective illnesses. Pasalic, who came on in the first half against Brazil and scored Croatia’s equalizer, should start in the right wing.

Kramaric will continue to lead the attack, though his position might be threatened after Petkovic’s late goal in the quarter-finals.