FIFA World Cup - 2022 - World Cup Final Stage Argentina VS Croatia

 

 

Analysis:

Argentina

Angel Di Maria featured from the bench in Argentina's semi-final win over the Netherlands and might return to the starting XI here.

 

Lionel Scaloni changed to a 3-5-2 for Friday's penalty shootout success and may revert to a more familiar 4-3-3, with Di Maria and Julian Alvarez flanking Lionel Messi. Full-backs Gonzalo Montiel and Marcos Acuna are suspended, with Nicolas Tagliafico set to deputise for the latter.

 

Argentina were taken to penalties late on by the Netherlands on Friday night as they threw away a two-goal lead. Nevertheless, they held their nerve to book a semi-final spot against Croatia.

 

Croatia

Josip Stanisic remains a doubt for Croatia, but is their only injury concern for Tuesday's semi-final. Zlatko Dalic may reward Bruno Petkovic with a starting spot after he scored from the bench late on against Brazil to take that quarter-final tie to penalties.

 

Zlatko Dalic's side, conversely, scored an equaliser deep into extra time to take their tie with Brazil to a penalty shootout. They have won their four penalty shootouts at a World Cup, so will look to adopt a similar conservative approach to frustrate Argentina.

 

Prediction:

Croatia are not to be underestimated, but with Lionel Messi in the ranks, Argentina will certainly fancy their chances of reaching the 2022 World Cup final.