The primary semi-final of the 2022 World Cup will pit two resolute and resilient sides each led by icons of the sport trying to log out on the worldwide stage with the most important trophy of all of them. Argentina overcame the Netherlands in a penalty shootout within the quarter-final, however their frayed nerves have been effectively on show because the Dutch discovered two late objectives to pressure further time. In the meantime, Croatia made it eight out of 9 knockout clashes that they gained both in further time or on penalties as they knocked out favourites Brazil in dramatic vogue. Catch as we speak’s semi-final on Sling TV.
Immediately on one facet are Argentina, looking for their third World Cup win and a primary for Lionel Messi. The celebrity will probably be calling time on his profession within the not-so-distant future, and desperately needs to cap off a glittering profession with the trophy that he craves probably the most of all. All the person and staff awards he has accrued through the years pale in significance in comparison with this, and his teammates appear to be equally decided to assist him get there, which is an enormous distinction from prior campaigns the place he has faltered carrying the burden of the nation’s expectations on his personal.
They face off towards Croatia, who’re looking for to return to the World Cup Last 4 years after dropping to France within the 2018 version of the event in Russia. Led by the indefatigable Luka Modric, the Croats have proven themselves to be ‘psychological monsters’ of an entire different nature, merely outlasting their opponents again and again. If ever there’s been a staff that merely refuses to just accept they’ve been overwhelmed, then it’s the Vatreni – write them off at your personal peril, as many nationwide sides will attest to. Simply ask Neymar.
The Sport
Date: Tuesday, December 13
Kickoff Time: 11:00 am PT / 2:00 pm ET / 7:00 pm GMT
Location: Lusail Stadium
Match Officers: Referee: Daniele Orsato (ITA), Assistant Referee 1: Ciro Carbone (ITA), Assistant Referee 2: Alessandro Giallatini (ITA)
How To Watch: TV and streaming information through Stay Soccer TVTV – Fox Community, Telemundo, ITVStreaming – Sling TV
Picture by David Ramos/Getty Pictures
Predicted Line-ups
Argentina XI: Lionel Scaloni has chopped and altered his Albiceleste squad on the way in which to the semi-finals, and will probably be compelled into doing extra of that for as we speak’s sport too. Fullbacks Gonzalo Montiel and Marcos Acuna have been each booked within the quarters and can miss this sport with suspensions, although goalscorer Nahuel Molina ought to step in for the previous with Nicolas Tagliafico obtainable for the latter.
The coach can even doubtless return to a four-man backline which implies Manchester United’s Lisandro Martinez ought to give approach for the fit-again Angel Di Maria.
E. Martinez; Molina, Romero, Otamendi, Tagliafico; Fernandez, De Paul, Mac Allister; Di Maria, Messi, Alvarez
Croatia XI: The European facet don’t have any harm considerations and noticed Borna Sosa and Mislav Orsic match to begin within the quarters. Coach Zlatko Dalić has been trying to enhance his facet’s purpose output and put in Mario Pasalic in from the beginning towards Brazil, and the Atalanta wide-man will doubtless hold his spot with former Everton participant Nikola Vlasic a probable substitute.
Livakovic; Juranovic, Lovren, Gvardiol, Sosa; Modric, Brozovic, Kovacic; Pasalic, Kramaric, Perisic
Picture by David S. Bustamante/Soccrates/Getty Pictures
Last Ideas
Croatia seem to have defied age and time to get to this stage a full 4 years after that unbelievable run in Russia 2018, however Brazil Argentina may be the top of the highway for a few of these veterans.
Having written that earlier paragraph in my preview for Croatia vs Brazil, I’ve eaten the requisite quantity of crow. What stays to be seen is that if I’m going to need to do the identical once more for the World Cup Last as effectively.
For Argentina in the meantime, the 2-1 shock by the hands of Saudi Arabia of their World Cup opener now appears to be simply one other twist and switch in what seems to be Messi’s inevitable march to future. Since that reverse, the Albicelesti are enjoying with a grim tenacity that was a trademark of their previous two title-winning campaigns as effectively, and it might take a courageous particular person certainly to say that they won’t be enjoying in Sunday’s closing.
Picture by Ayman Aref/NurPhoto through Getty Pictures
Prediction: Argentina 2-1 Croatia (AET). There isn’t a approach that is getting settled in 90 minutes in my thoughts. Each side are just too robust for that to occur. I’ll make the decision although that drained legs will ultimately be the distinction on this one, with a late mistake more likely to settle the sport in further time.
Royal Blue mersey has affiliate partnerships. These don’t affect editorial content material, although Vox Media might earn commissions for merchandise bought through affiliate hyperlinks.