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Neither Argentina nor Croatia have presented themselves really furiously at the World Cup in Qatar – but they are both in the semi-finals.
Legend:
Two veterans with magic feet
Argentina vs. Croatia is also called Lionel Messi vs. Luka Modric.
Keystone/Petr David Josek)
When is the game played?
The semi-final duel of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar between Argentina and Croatia takes place on Tuesday at 8:00 p.m. The game at the Lusail Stadium north of Doha, where the final also takes place on Sunday, will be broadcast live on SRF Zwei and in the Sport App.
What happened until now
The finals in Qatar did not start well for Argentina. In the very first game, the South Americans lost 2-1 to Saudi Arabia – but so far it has been the only one. Thanks to victories over Mexico and Poland, the “Albiceleste” still took first place in the preliminary round. She defeated Australia (2-1) in the round of 16, and Lionel Messi and Co. also had a hard time in the quarter-finals against the Netherlands in a 4-3 triumph after penalties.
The last appearance
Croatia finished the group stage in second place behind semi-finalists Morocco. Despite a goalless draw against Belgium and the North Africans, a 4-1 win over Canada should be enough for Luka Modric and Co. to advance.
Even in the knockout phase, the Croatian horse only jumped as high as it had to. A 3-1 shootout win over Japan was followed by a 4-3 victory from the point over Brazil. Remarkable: In the quarter-finals, Croatia fired five shots at the Seleçao goal: all were in – the only one in 120 minutes and all four in penalties.
Facts about the game
- Croatia’s draw record: The Croatians drew 4 times in 5 games at this World Cup, and the victory against Canada after 90 minutes was enough to qualify for the semi-finals. The draws are a set record for a global tournament, only Germany (1978) and Ireland (1990) recorded as many.
- The promising series: For Argentina it is the 5th World Cup semi-final – and the South Americans have won each of the previous four. In 1930, the “Albiceleste” won 6-1 against the USA, in 1986 2-0 against Belgium, in 1990 against Italy and in 2014 against the Netherlands, each after penalties. Only in 1986 were the South Americans able to lift the World Cup. Before winning the first title in 1978, there was a final round instead of a semifinal.
- Argentinian lust for revenge: Argentina and Croatia meet for the 6th time. The South Americans in particular will have bad memories of the last international match so far: At the 2018 World Cup in Russia, the Croatians finished them off 3-0 in the group phase. Unlike then, when both teams then progressed, there will only be one winner in Lusail.
Possible final opponents
In the World Cup final, either defending champions France or Morocco await the winner of the first semi-final. The final will take place on Sunday, December 18th at 4:00 p.m., the small final will be played one day earlier at the same time.