Argentina v Croatia – Three key battles to watch out for | FIFA World Cup 2022
Argentina are set to lock horns with an upbeat Croatian side in the first semi-final of the FIFA World Cup on December 13th.
Both sides have demonstrated envious quality on the pitch throughout the tournament when the chips have been down. They’ve exemplified the grit and nerves needed to finish as the best four teams of the most widely acclaimed international competition.
Argentina topped Group C after a shocking defeat at the hands of Saudi Arabia in their opener, and have gone from strength to strength in wins over Australia and more recently, the Netherlands.
A team blessed with Lionel Messi and a pool of exquisite attackers had to dig it out after the Dutch levelled the score to 2-2 before eventually bowing out on penalties.
Croatia, although very different in their approach, have been just as inspirational. They inspire corners and dimensions far more expansive than just the football fraternity. Having beaten Japan and Brazil in successive penalty shootouts after going a goal down on both occasions, Zlatco Dalic and co. have proven you can only write them off at your peril.
Both the sides have put forward their steel and style this World Cup, but this could arguably be the biggest test for either of them.
On that note, we draw three individual player battles that could determine the result of a game likely to go down to the wire.
Lionel Messi v Josko Gvardiol
Perhaps the most awaited skirmish, Messi versus 20-year-old Josko Gvardiol is a box office fixture within this mega event.
The former has been the straw that stirs the drink of an Argentine attack that looks rather toothless when he’s not involved. Messi continues to surprise us with his otherworldly abilities with each passing day. From the eye-of-the-needle pass to Nahuel Molina to an ice-cold penalty, he’s been at the centre of almost all of Albiceleste’s goals.
He will be up against one of the best centre-halves this World Cup – Gvardiol. The Croatian has belied his age and expectations this tournament, slotting in at the heart of the back four alongside the experienced Dejan Lovren effortlessly.
He’s always had hype around him, and has found the perfect stage to showcase why Europe’s biggest mega house clubs are fighting for his signature.
Gvardiol will be tasked with closing in on Messi and not offering any room for the little magician to twist. His recovery pace is frightening, as is his intelligence when marking players.
Messi, who loves to dart through midfield after a drop of the shoulder, will face Gvardiol protecting the Croatian goal multiple times Tuesday.
Emiliano Martinez v Dominik Livakovic
In what forms quite an interesting battle, we’re going with the custodians.
The World Cup has created surprises, anticlimactic finishes, and stories to last a lifetime. Not all of that is down to flair. Ask Morocco.
A large part of the praises must be sung for the goalkeepers who have been on top of the penalty shootouts.
Both Emiliano Martinez and Livakovic have owned their territory between the sticks. In the slim chances sandwiched between mind games and the shortened probability, both have been decisive, accurate and heroic.
Martinez is the emotionally charged of the two. He’s the one who wears his heart on his sleeves, punches the air as hard as he can and pulls off moves after saving nail-biting penalties. He’s been immense for Argentina, forming the last line of the defence.
Livakovic on the other hand, has stuck to his methods and is the primary reason behind Croatia being one of the most successful sides in penalty shootouts. No goalkeeper has made more saves than him this World Cup.
Luka Modric v Enzo Fernandez
Lionel Messi’s last chance to settle longstanding debates as the best player to ever grace the game. Brazil’s super squad tipped to win the World Cup. France with a serious chance of becoming the first team to retain the title in 60 odd years.
Yet, we forget the timeless chapter of Luka Modric. The 37-year-old broke the Messi-Ronaldo duopoly to lift the Ballon d’Or in 2018. Since then, he’s been written off several times, but age never seems to catch up to him.
Modric’s running ability, astute dribbling and presence in midfield makes Croatia one of the most methodical midfield units in the world. He has the best possible partners alongside him in Mateo Kovacic and Marcelo Brozovic.
The Real Madrid maestro is the glue, a fulcrum-like figure. With Croatia expected to soak in the Argentina pressure and release the ball, Enzo Fernandez will have to ensure Modric does not have the desirable time and space on the ball.
With that said, the trade of the game will mostly be Argentina’s attack against Croatia’s sturdy defence. That means Fernandez, still only 21, can showcase his running, ball-playing and effervescent energy.
It’s quite the task for Modric as well, to contain the Benfica man whose experience is far beyond his years. But if there’s one person to be backed to get the better of the in-form Enzo Fernandez, it’s none other than the mercurial Modric.
Argentina v Croatia: Match Preview, Team News and Prediction
In a battle between one team putting in every ounce to lift the trophy for one of football’s greatest players and another that remains unperturbed even when up against the best in the world, it sets off a high tempo for an edge-of-the-seat semi-final encounter.
The Albiceleste edged Netherlands 4-3 on penalties after there was nothing to separate the sides after 120 minutes of feisty action covered in high tension and emotion. Lionel Messi, the player for whom the entire universe seems to collectively pray for in what is most certainly his last World Cup, scored from the spot during the 2-2 draw and the shootout.
Messi and co. will also be looking to exact revenge from Croatia, who cruised past them in the 2018 edition with a 3-0 victory.
The footballing gods had an Argentina versus Brazil semi-final written for the masses, but Croatia are beyond these dimensions of favourites and footballing spirit, of odds and resolve.
In fact, Zlatko Dalic’s charges have shared the spoils in four of their five matches thus far, with their only win being a 4-1 drubbing of Canada. They’ve been exceptional in the two penalty shootouts until now, having beaten Japan 3-1 and shocking Brazil 4-2.
The Vatreni have never scored the first goal in any of their last nine World Cup outings, which speaks volumes of their resistance and determination. It’s already the farthest any side has got without opening the scoring charts, and not many will top this resilience-driven record.
Team News
Argentina
Argentina will be without Gonzalo Montiel and key man Marcos Acuna, with the pair receiving yellow cards in the quarterfinal.
Angel Di Maria who returns to full fitness, could start depending on the system Lionel Scaloni picks.
Croatia
Bruno Petkovic, the man of the moment for Croatia, will be pushing for a start after rescuing his side late on against Brazil. Meanwhile, Dalic has a clean bill of health and owns the luxury of calling upon all his weapons. Despite the struggles in front of goal, he is likely to field the same XI that held Brazil.
Predicted XI
Argentina probable line-up (5-3-2): Emiliano Martinez; Nahuel Molina, Cristian Romero, Nicolas Otamendi, Lisandro Martinez, Nicolas Tagliafico; Rodrigo De Paul, Enzo Fernandez, Alexis Mac Allister; Lionel Messi, Julian Alvarez
Croatia probable line-up (4-3-3): Dominik Livakovic; Josip Juranovic, Josko Gvardiol, Dejan Lovren, Borna Sosa; Luka Modric, Marcelo Brozovic, Mateo Kovacic; Mario Pasalic, Andrej Kramaric, Ivan Perisic
Match Prediction
While Argentina have struggled to polish off wins due to their tendency to concede late goals, Croatia thrive on hogging the climatic story lines. It’ll be an arduous task for a stubborn Croatian side to combat the threat caused by Messi and Julian Alvarez.
Scaloni’s bench strength versus the Croatian defence will be the name of the game, especially because it might prove difficult for Argentina to break them down.
It may well result in another draw, but we back the South American powerhouse to make a dream entry to the finals.
Predicted score: Argentina 3-1 Croatia (AET)
-Roy Akarshak
Twitter: @RoyAkarshak
Photo: Кирилл Венедиктов. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license.