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Having already sent home one South American side since the 2022 World Cup, Croatia will be looking to get rid of the other as they take on Argentina in tonight’s semi-final at the Lusail Iconic Stadium..
After an intense penalty shootout in the quarter-finals, Zlatko Dalic’s passionate side expelled Brazil from the tournament, while Argentina fought their way into the last four after beating the Netherlands 4 -3 on penalties.
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Luka Modric and Lionel Messi go head-to-head in the tantalizing World Cup semi-final
Despite finishing second in Group F, Croatia stayed calm in their opening two knockout ties with major wins over Japan and Brazil and have now extended their 100% record to five consecutive penalty kicks .
Skipper Luka Modric and his teammates will look to guide their country to become the fourth nation to reach back-to-back World Cup finals after Italy (1934, 1938) and Germany (1982, 1986, 1990).
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Croatia eliminated Brazil from the World Cup in a penalty shootout
However, Croatia will have to fight if they want to beat a prolific Argentine side.
With their shock defeat to Saudi Arabia long forgotten, Lionel Scaloni’s men continued to improve as the World Cup progressed and now the South Americans are looking to reach the Cup final. world for the sixth time, a figure beaten only by Germany.
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Argentina will try to reach the World Cup final for the sixth time
Argentina’s valiant goalscorers have found the net twice in each of their last four matches in all tournaments, scoring on aggregate in each of their last 14 games.
Croatia must therefore tighten up their defense if they wish to stop Lionel Messi and co.
Will Croatia cause another South American heartbreak?
talkSPORT EDGE have a look…
- This is the third World Cup meeting between Argentina and Croatia and the first of the Round of 16. Argentina won 1-0 in 1998, ahead of Croatia’s 3-0 victory in the 2018 edition in Russia
- Argentina have never been eliminated in the semi-finals before, most recently beating the Netherlands in 2014
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Argentina and Croatia will meet for the third time in the World Cup
- After beating Brazil in the quarter-finals on penalties, Croatia could become the second team to eliminate Brazil and Argentina from the round of 16 at the same World Cup after Germany in 2014.
- Argentina have won just one of their last seven World Cup matches against European sides (D3 L3), beating Poland 2-0 in the group stage this year.
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