Argentina and Croatia battled for a place in the final this Tuesday, 8 PM, in Lusail, Qatar, a match that pitted two ambitious teams against each other. Led by Lionel Messi and Luka Modric, both sides were determined to push their legacies toward a World Cup crown and to add another memorable chapter to their rich football stories.
The first ticket to the Qatar 2022 grand final was on the line. Argentina arrived after a tense quarterfinal win over the Netherlands, clinched in a penalty shootout following a 2-0 draw. Croatia, meanwhile, had already proven their nerve by surviving two shootouts, knocking out favorites Brazil and Japan along the way. In both cases, a hero stood tall: the goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic, who sealed those wins with critical saves at key moments and whose performances in extra time and penalties underscored Croatia’s resilience.
The Balkan side has shown it can suffer with the best of them, making this encounter potentially chaotic if it heads to another round of penalties. It is a scenario that has blessed neither team in recent World Cups, where each clash has ended with a Croatian victory in Russia 2018, and only one decisive win so far for either side in this modern era of the tournament.
Historically, Argentina may enter as the slight favorite, buoyed by their comeback against the Netherlands and the fervor of Messi’s leadership. The captain, the fulcrum of this squad, has provided a beacon both on and off the pitch, showing in that decisive match against the Oranje that he still carries the weight of a world’s expectation. After a setback earlier in the tournament, Messi has helped Argentine football rebound with determination, setting the stage for one last heroic push before the curtain falls on his illustrious World Cup journey.
On the other side, Croatia’s captain Modric represents a veteran heart with one last chance to lift international football’s most coveted prize. The Croats intend to lean on Modric alongside trusted teammates like Perisic, Brozovic, Lovren, and Gvardiol, with Livakovic again ready to stand tall in goal. Croatia’s approach emphasizes unity, experience, and disciplined defense, balanced with moments of decisive attacking intent when opportunities arise.
What unfolds is a high-stakes duel where both teams must balance attack with caution. Argentina’s coach, Lionel Scaloni, can count on nearly all his squad, including the creative energy of Ángel Di María and Rodrigo De Paul, while monitoring for late fitness updates. Suspensions for Marcos Acuña and Gonzalo Montiel complicate selection, but the core talent remains intact. Croatia, free of suspensions, will likely field their trusted spine and trust their usual starters, while managers weigh last-minute lineup adjustments to respond to the tactical demands of a knockout game where a single mistake can swing the match.
“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 remarked in a press conference after the Netherlands clash, addressing the pressure and the high emotions of a semifinal setup that has tested Argentina’s resolve. The Croatian coach Zlatko Dalic echoed a desire for stability, hoping the match would avoid another tense, all-out struggle and emphasizing the need for compact defense and smart adaptation given the looming pressure on both teams.
Data sheet
possible alignments
ARGENTINA: E. Martinez; Molina, Otamendi, Lisandro Martinez, Romero, Tagliafico; De Paul, Fernandez, MacAllister; Alvarez and Messi.
CROATIA: Livakovic; Juranovic, Lovren, Gvardiol, Sosa; Modric, Brozovic, Kovacic; Kramaric, Pasalic, Perisic.
Judge
Daniele Orsato (ITA).
Stadium
Lusail
Hour
20:00
Note: This preview synthesizes recent match reports and official squad data to present a balanced view of the teams’ preparations for a decisive semifinal in Lusail. Details may be updated to reflect late fitness tests and tactical shifts as the match approaches. Citations: official match reports and team press conferences.