Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez’s brilliance during the 12 yard battle helped the South American champions get the better of Netherlands in an ill-tempered quarterfinal match that saw a record 17 bookings.
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It is time for the first semi-final of the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Two time champions Argentina will take on last edition’s runner-ups Croatia at the Lusail stadium on Tuesday night. Both entered the last-4 stage with penalty shootout wins in the quarterfinals. Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez’s brilliance during the 12 yard battle helped the South American champions get the better of Netherlands in an ill-tempered match that saw a record 17 bookings. Croatia, on the other hand, came from behind to level the score at 1-1 against Brazil and took the game to penalties, where they prevailed 4-2.
#SelecciónMayor Último entrenamiento de la Selección Argentina antes de enfrentarse a Croacia
📋 https://t.co/f9b7d3kaFX pic.twitter.com/9QVpYDVoQ3
— Selección Argentina 🇦🇷 (@Argentina) December 12, 2022
Argentina began their Qatar World Cup campaign with a surprise 2-1 defeat to Saudi Arabia in their opener. But since then, Lionel Scaloni’s side have grown in stature, having won the remaining two group games to enter last-16 as Group C-winners. La Albiceleste defeated Australia 2-1 in their first knockout match and then got the better of Holland in the second. Croatia, meanwhile, began the tournament with a lacklustre 0-0 draw against Morocco, before thrashing Belgium 4-1 in the matchday two and then played yet another goalless draw against Belgium in their final group-match to secure second spot in Group F. The Checkers edged past Japan in the round of 16 in penalties before eliminating favourites Brazil from yet another shootout.
The previous meeting between these two sides was in the 2018 edition of the World Cup, which ended in a dominant 3-0 victory for Croatia, courtesy of a brace from Ante Rebic and Luka Modric’s stunning strike, ten minutes from time. The Checkers went on to top the group and reached the final, where they lost 4-1 to France. Argentina, meanwhile, lost out to Les Bleus in the last 16 stage. The South American champions will be itching to avenge their defeat four years ago and once again the onus will be on their talismanic captain Lionel Messi to come with yet another magical performance to get them through.
| Key Details | Stats |
| Total Matches | 4 |
| Argentina won | 2 |
| Croatia won | 2 |
| Draw | 0 |
| Total Argentina goals | 5 |
| Total Croatia goals | 7 |
| Best Argentina win | 2-1 |
| Best Croatia win | 3-0 |
| Last 4 matches (all competitions) | Score |
| Croatia beat Argentina | 3-0 |
| Argentina beat Croatia | 2-1 |
| Croatia beat Argentina | 3-2 |
| Argentina beat Croatia | 1-0 |
