Argentina vs Croatia: World Cup semi-final team news and prediction

Argentina and Croatia face off on Tuesday in the first 2022 World Cup semi-final. The pair do have recent history, with Croatia running out 3-0 winners over Argentina back in 2018, though this will be their third meeting at a World Cup, with Argentina winning the first in a group match in 1998. Both side made it through via a penalty shootout, with Argentina beating the Netherlands to reach the semi-finals, while Croatia knocked out heavy favourites Brazil. 

Ahead of this one, we provide the necessary pre-match information, including where to watch the World Cup semi-final, team news and probable XIs... 

When is kick off?  

Tuesday 13th December, 19:00 GMT  

Where is the match?  

Lusail Iconic Stadium, Al Daayen (Qatar) 

What TV channel is it on?  

ITV, ITVX app and ITV website  

Route to the semi-final 

Argentina were 2-0 up against Netherlands with less than 10 minutes of normal time to go in their quarter-final, but late goals from substitute Wout Weghorst took the game to extra time. No side were able to find a third goal and so the game went the distance, with Argentina eventually winning on penalties to book their place in the semi-finals. 

Croatia, with the aid of goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic, were able to keep their quarter-final with Brazil goalless in normal time, taking the game to extra time where Neymar gave the five-time winners the lead in stoppage time of the first half, before substitute Bruno Petkovic equalised late on. Continuing their 100% in World Cup penalty shootouts, Croatia won 4-2. 

Team News 

Argentina will be without full-backs Marcos Acuna and Gonzalo Montiel owing to suspensions, with Nicolas Tagliafico set to come in for the former. Angel Di Maria came on in the quarter-final against the Netherlands and might return to the starting lineup, with Lionel Scaloni reverting to a 4-3-3, with Di Maria and Julien Alvarez flanking Lionel Messi. 

Josip Stanisic is the only injury concern for Croatia coming in to this game. Bruno Petkovic, who scored the crucial equaliser to take the Brazil game to penalties, may be rewarded with a start by Zlatko Dalic. 

Probable XIs 

Argentina (4-3-3): Martinez; Molina, Romero, Otamendi, Tagliafico; De Paul, Fernandez, Mac Allister; Di Maria, Messi, Alvarez

Croatia (4-3-3): Livakovic; Juranovic, Lovren, Gvardiol, Sosa; Modric, Brozovic, Kovacic; Pasalic, Petkovic, Perisic

Key Battle: Rodrigo De Paul vs Luka Modric

The midfield battle in this game will likely go some way to deciding who will be playing in this month's World Cup sinal. Both sides, especially Croatia, have used the midfield battle to sway games in their favour and Rodrigo De Paul and Luka Modric have arguably been the key links in the centre of the park for their respective sides.

While Modric has shown his defensive capabilities with more tackles (2.4) and interceptions (1.6) per game, De Paul has pulled the strings offensively, with more key passes (5). Both players rank in the top two for possession won in the midfield third, with De Paul (24) just edging that battle (23). The Madrid rivals have been unsung heroes in many ways during this tournament, but their battle will be decisive in the outcome of this game.

Score Prediction: Argentina 1-0 Croatia