The 2022 World Cup semi-finals leave no room for error and these Argentina vs. Croatia predictions suggest the game will be essential viewing. Croatia are aiming for a second successive World Cup final, while Lionel Messi aims to banish the Argentina ghost of 2014.
Argentina vs. Croatia odds
1 – A draw – 45/19
2 – Argentina under 2.5 total goals – 1/6
3 – Total goals scored under 2.5 – 1/2
4 – Both teams to score – 15/11
5 – A 1-1 draw – 31/5
Both Argentina and Croatia were forced to run the gauntlet of extra time and penalties to seal their places in the 2022 World Cup semi-finals after beating the Netherlands and Brazil respectively.
The full 120 minutes could not separate the sides but Messi and Luka Modric led their teams over the line and into the last four.
Argentina have continued to improve as the World Cup has powered on, with their shock opening defeat to Saudi Arabia long forgotten. They have since beaten Australia and the Dutch to reach this stage.
Croatia finished second in Group F, but they showed trademark calmness and grit in their first two knockout games, with shootout wins over Japan and Brazil.
That tightness makes this contest almost impossible to predict over 90 minutes, with a draw at the end of normal time a strong possibility – and extra time and penalties further down the line.
As expected, their respective knockout games have not featured an excess of goals, with Argentina averaging two per match, and Croatia just one. It would be no surprise if this one ends up being a low scorer too.
Both of Croatia’s games ended with under 2.5 total goals scored inside both 90 and 120 minutes, with Argentina unlikely to break through a resilient Croatian defence multiple times.
The experience of scoring crucial goals at key times will be a major factor for Croatia, and they have scored in both knockout games. Messi has also been on target for Argentina against Australia and the Netherlands.
A score draw looks to be a really strong option in this contest, but the possibility of extra time and spot kicks make it tough to call who will be easing on into the final on December 18th.
How to stream Argentina vs. Croatia
You can watch Argentina vs. Croatia live on Tuesday night on your national broadcaster and online around the world.
Argentina vs. Croatia last five matches
Argentina last five matches
Croatia last five matches
Argentina top World Cup goalscorers
| Player | Total goals |
|---|---|
| 7 | |
| 4 | |
| 1 | |
| 1 | |
| 1 |
Croatia top World Cup goalscorers
| Player | Total goals |
|---|---|
| 2 | |
| 1 | |
| 1 | |
| 1 | |
| 1 |
Argentina vs. Croatia line-ups
Argentina (3-5-2): Martinez; Tagliafico, Otamendi, Martinez, Romero, Molina; De Paul, Fernandez, Mac Allister; Alvarez, Messi
Croatia (4-3-3) Livakovic; Sosa, Lovren, Gvardiol, Juranovic; Modric, Brozovic, Kovacic; Perisic, Petkovic, Kramaric
Argentina team news
Lionel Scaloni will be forced to shuffle his full back options, with Gonzalo Montiel and Marcos Acuna suspended, as Nahuel Molina and Nicolas Tagliafico start. However, he is expected to stick with a 3-5-2 formation to try and overload Croatia out wide.
Croatia team news
Dalic’s side came through their last 16 battle with Brazil unscathed and he is expected to keep starting changes down to a minimum against Argentina. Bruno Petkovic could come back in to bolster the attack in place of Mario Pasalic in the front three.