Argentina and Croatia suffer heart attacks for final

The first ticket to the Qatar 2022 grand final is at stake. And fighting for him is an Argentina who fought for him in the quarterfinals against the Netherlands – who won the penalty shootout after a 2-0 draw – and also a Croatia, which, and luckily, subscribed to the maximum penalty shootout. The Croatians eliminated one of the big favourites, Brazil, on penalties in the quarterfinals, and previously beat Japan in the same manner. With a hero dressed in green and defending the castle; Dominik Livakovic. And not just because he stopped penalties in penalty shootouts, but because he was decisive in the game and in overtime for both games.

The Balkans have shown they know how to suffer just as much as the Argentines, and this duel can be hectic after all if it leads to another round of maximum penalties. That lottery that isn’t so much for some. Currently in World Cups, two duels with one victory for each side. There is no draw. And the last one With the clear victory of the Croats in Russia 2018.

Perhaps by history, Argentina will come as a light favourite. With the joy of overcoming an equitable match against the Netherlands, the fury of the celebration after a fiery and all-out match, including many disagreements and inconsistencies. Also Leo Messi’s famous ‘What are you looking at fool’. Argentina ’10’, the lighthouse and touchstone of this block, He wants to finish his career with the World Cup. Two games away. And he is proving himself as a leader on and off the pitch, as he showed after his game against ‘Oranje’. Depressed by the defeat against Saudi Arabia, Messi is turning Argentina into a ‘phoenix’ and Croatia is the next hurdle to overcome.

A beautiful duel between Argentina and Croatia, between Messi and Modric. The Croatian captain is also looking for the big international milestone. Croats want to take advantage of Modric and other veterans’ last bullet after Russia finished second in 2018. And of course they’re two games away.

All or nothing for both. Since there will be no bullets in the chamber, we will have to take risks.. In Argentina, coach Lionel Scaloni will be able to rely on all his players, including the poignant Ángel Di María and Rodrigo De Paul, apart from the sanctioned Marcos Acuña and Gonzalo Montiel. Croatia, on the other hand, have no suspended players, but only played two overtime periods, so the coach will wait until the last minute to confirm the line-up, but everything indicates that he will use his “usual” seniority. ‘ Accompanied by key youths like Perisic, Brozovic, Lovren, Modric and goalkeeper Livakovic and centre-back, wall, Josko Gvardiol.

“The game was played as it should be played on both sides. It’s football. There are times when you have to defend, there are times when you have to attack. It can be difficult with arguments like the other day. We know how to lose and we know how to win”, Scaloni declared at a press conference and went to the Netherlands. Tired of being told that after that tense fight against Argentina, Argentina didn’t know how to lose and couldn’t win.

Croatian coach Zlatko Dalic wanted the duel not to be another pitched battle. “I hope nothing like that happens in this case,” he said. “I didn’t expect the Netherlands to follow the game. Considering the semi-finals, we will be a compact team. It’s very important for both teams, but I think Argentina is under a lot more pressure.”