Argentina
3
Match Complete
Croatia
0
| N. Otamendi |  | 71' | ||
| J. ??lvarez |  | 69' | ||
| C. Romero | | 68' | ||
| J. ??lvarez | | 39' | ||
| L. Messi | | 34' | ||
| 32' | | M. Kovacic | ||
| 32' | | D. Livakovic |
| 8 | Shots | 12 | ||
| 6 | On Target | 2 | ||
| 15 | Fouls | 7 | ||
| 2 | Corners | 4 | ||
| 1 | Offsides | 0 | ||
| 0 | Red Cards | 0 | ||
| 2 | Yellow Cards | 2 |
All eyes will be on Lionel Messi and his Argentina team, as it faces a tough Croatia outfit in the World Cup semi-final in Lusail, Qatar. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 6am (AEDT).
Just one step remains for both Argentina and Croatia, as they seek to advance to the final match of the 2022 World Cup and a chance at football immortality.
Whilst the emotion will be riding the journey of Messi and his quest for a first world championship that would cap the most brilliant of careers, Croatia will also enjoy a fair portion of support and feel confident after their appearance in the 2018 final against the French.
The South Americans will enter the contest as favourites with the presence of Messi, Julian Alvarez and Enzo Fernandez making them a tough team to defend against, despite the world believing that the depth across the squad is a little weak and potentially to be exposed at the pointy end of the tournament.
Both the Netherlands and Australia pushed Argentina to the brink in the knock-out phase, with only penalties seeing them through against the Dutch in a memorable quarter-final on Sunday morning (AEDT).
Croatia stunned Brazil in the quarter-finals, after also winning on penalties against Japan in the round of 16. In the group stage, draws were earned against Morocco and Belgium and the sole win against Canada now stands as their only victory inside normal time. Yet who would write off a team with Luka Modric, Ivan Perisic, Mateo Kovacic and Dejan Lovren in its ranks?
This shapes up as the most gripping and tense of semi-finals, with Croatia’s record in the tight ones potentially serving them well heading into a match that could well be fought in the clinches. Should Messi fire, there may be no force able to stop him and if Angel Di Maria does make an appearance for Argentina, the balance could well shift in their favour.
Prediction
From what I have seen in the tournament thus far, Croatia will win this match. Argentina have been stretched late in almost every game and the Croatian determination, fitness and resilience could well see them storming home in the second half.
The best chance Argentina has is to gap the Europeans early and set up a solid and unassailable lead. However, it looks more likely that Croatia will be heading to their second World Cup final in succession.
Game information
Venue: Lusail Stadium, Lusail, Qatar
Kick-off: 6am (AEDT)
TV: SBS
Live stream: SBS On Demand
Odds: Argentina $1.88; draw $3.25; Croatia $4.55 – odds via PlayUp
Squads
Argentina
Emiliano Martinez, Geronimo Rulli, Franco Armani, Nahuel Molina, Gonzalo Montiel, Cristian Romero, German Pezzella, Nicolas Otamendi, Lisandro Martinez, Marcos Acuna, Nicolas Tagliafico, Juan Foyth, Rodrigo De Paul, Leandro Paredes, Alexis Mac Allister, Guido Rodriguez, Papu Gomez, Enzo Fernandez, Exequiel Palacios, Lionel Messi, Angel Di Maria, Lautaro Martinez, Julian Alvarez, Paulo Dybala, Angel Correa, Thiago Almada
Croatia
Dominik Livaković, Ivica Ivušić, Ivo Grbić, Domagoj Vida, Dejan Lovren, Borna Barišić, Josip Juranović, Joško Gvardiol, Borna Sosa, Josip Stanišić Martin Erlić, Josip Šutalo, Luka Modrić, Mateo Kovačić, Marcelo Brozović, Mario Pašalić, Nikola Vlašić, Lovro Majer, Kristijan Jakić, Luka Sučić, Ivan Perišić, Andrej Kramarić, Bruno Petković, Mislav Oršić, Ante Budimir, Marko Livaja
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Thanks for being on board for the game, it was a treat to bring it to you. Today is Argentina's and Messi's; the greatest modern player has one hand on the World Cup trophy, very few would begrudge him having both. Final Score Argentina…………..3 Croatia……………...0
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Join me tomorrow for the second of the semi-finals, when France face Morocco with a spot in the final up for grabs. (6am AEDT) Argentina…………..3 Croatia……………...0
Stuart Thomas
Expert
The big question will be whether Messi and his team have a performance in them big enough to match France or a Moroccon team on a heck of a run. Argentina…………..3 Croatia……………...0
jamesb
Roar Guru
Alvarez is an important player now for Argentina. He is developing a good relationship with Messi.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
The Argentinian fans in the stadium are going bananas and worshipping the man that once again, has lifted them to a winning performance. Argentina…………..3 Croatia……………...0
Stevo
Roar Rookie
Is this finally Messi's time at a WC? Hope so.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
FULL-TIME What a result for the genius that is Lionel Messi. He will have a chance at history against either France or Morocco. Argentina…………..3 Croatia……………...0
Stuart Thomas
Expert
FULL-TIME A first half penalty to Messi and goals on either side of half-time have secured the win. Argentina…………..3 Croatia……………...0
Stuart Thomas
Expert
FULL-TIME The whistle is blown and Argentina have advanced to the final of the 2022 World Cup. Argentina…………..3 Croatia……………...0
Stuart Thomas
Expert
90+5 Croatia with a late break. Lovren with a powerful strike that goes over the bar. Argentina…………..3 Croatia……………...0
Stuart Thomas
Expert
90+4 Croatia throw on the far side. Argentina…………..3 Croatia……………...0
Stuart Thomas
Expert
90+3 Vlasic twisting and turning on the edge of the box, his shot is well wide. Argentina…………..3 Croatia……………...0
Stuart Thomas
Expert
90+3 Tagliafico heads clear and concedes a late corner. Argentina…………..3 Croatia……………...0
Stuart Thomas
Expert
90+2 Argentina with a long ball forward and Croatia start from the back. Argentina…………..3 Croatia……………...0
Stuart Thomas
Expert
90+1 Very little football being played out there. Scrappy stuff. Argentina…………..3 Croatia……………...0
Stuart Thomas
Expert
90+1 There will be 5 minutes of additional time. Argentina…………..3 Croatia……………...0
Stuart Thomas
Expert
90' Correa winning the free kick on the near side. Both teams looking forward to the final whistle. Argentina…………..3 Croatia……………...0
Stuart Thomas
Expert
89' Leaving Messi on the pitch is a very silly decision. Should have been in cotton wool 20 minutes ago. Argentina…………..3 Croatia……………...0
Stuart Thomas
Expert
87' Plenty of additional time to come in this one. Argentina…………..3 Croatia……………...0
Stuart Thomas
Expert
86′ Lovren just could not get his foot to the ball. Mac Allister and Molina leave the pitch. Correa and Foyth come on. Argentina…………..3 Croatia………………0