Argentina vs Croatia Prediction & Odds: Can Croatia Stop Lionel Messi?

Argentina were expected to make the semi-finals and they have not disappointed fans. Croatia were not expected to make the semi-finals but they defied their critics and the bookmakers to send tournament favorites Brazil back home.

Argentina will take on Croatia in the first semi-final of the 2022 FIFA World Cup on Dec 13 at the Lusail stadium. Both teams had a very intense quarter-final battle that would have drained the players both physically and mentally.

Argentina and Croatia have not had a lot of recovery time to prepare for the semi-finals and you must factor this into the equation when you look at which team will make it to the final.

Argentina bring flair, skill, and Lionel Messi while Croatia bring a never-say-die attitude, loads of self-belief, and the confidence of having the ability to topple another South American giant.

Football betting enthusiasts are in for a mouth-watering treat that once again has the potential to end up in a nail-biting draw and push the game into a penalty shootout.

Argentina vs Croatia Betting Sites

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Argentina vs Croatia Match Odds

Argentina go in as heavy betting favorites against Croatia as expected. However, Betway football odds are showing more respect to Croatia after they defied massive odds against Brazil to beat them.

Croatia shocked the world when they held Brazil to a draw and pushed them into a dreaded penalty shootout which Croatia won.

Croatia have the confidence of beating what many claimed were the best team at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Argentina vs Croatia Prediction

The Croatia team relish the underdog tag as it puts no pressure on them and they use that to their advantage repeatedly.

What many football fans and bettors might not remember is that Croatia did make it to the finals of the 2018 FIFA World Cup where they lost to France in the finals.

Croatia believe they will once again make it to the finals and cause another upset against Argentina. Argentina are the only South American side left in the competition and know they have the ability to beat Croatia 9 times out of 10.

In the FIFA World Cup odds table, Argentina are now the second favorites to win the trophy after France.

Argentina are very keen to win this World Cup and give their captain Lionel Messi the best gift possible as they know this will be the last World Cup for the 35-year-old magician. If you are playing football satta, we advise you to go with Argentina.

Recommended Betting Tip: Argentina (1.83)

Argentina vs Croatia: How Did They Reach 2022 FIFA WC Semi-Finals?

Argentina played the Netherlands in the final and was coasting to victory with a 2-0 scoreline after 70 minutes.

Argentina had a momentarily lapse in focus and within a period of the next 20 minutes, the Dutch scored 2 goals and pushed the game into extra time and eventually into a penalty shootout.

Argentina ended up winning the penalty shootout to make it to the semi-finals and will not want to make that same mistake against Croatia.

Croatia kept Brazil from scoring in their quarter-final match and pushed it into extra time. Neymar Jr. scored for Brazil in the first half of extra time and it looked like Brazil was through but Bruno Petkovic scored in the dying minutes of the game to push it into a penalty shootout which Croatia won to make it to the semi-final.

Argentina vs Croatia Match Betting Options

Argentina had a very physical match against the Netherlands and picked up a staggering amount of yellow cards.

Marcos Acuna will have to miss the semi-finals as a result and Argentina will feel his absence. The big positive for Argentina was that Angel Di Maria did take the field for a few minutes against the Netherlands and should play against Croatia.

Can Croatia Stop Lionel Messi?

Lionel Scaloni is likely to go in with a 4-3-3 strategy and will put pressure on the Croatian defense right from the start. Lionel Messi will once again be a danger to Croatia.

Croatia’s biggest strength in Qatar has been their quality defense. They frustrate the opposition and then look to capitalize on a moment of weakness by not wasting their opportunities. Ivan Perisic needs to get more time on the ball for Croatia to score.

While Argentina are expected to win this game, we do believe that Croatia will cause another upset as Argentina go in with a lot of pressure and expectations.

Argentina vs Croatia Betting Tip For Top Goal Scorer 

Lionel Messi is the top goal scorer for Argentina and second on the top goal scorer list at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Messi has scored 4 goals for Argentina and is just behind France’s Kylian Mbappe who leads the list with 5 goals.

Andrej Kramaric has scored 2 goals for Croatia while Ivan Perisic and Luka Modric have scored 1 goal. Andrej Kramaric and Ivan Perisic will once again be the key players for Croatia.

Recommended Betting Tip: Lionel Messi

2022 FIFA World Cup Semi-Final: Argentina vs Croatia Squads

Croatia Likely Playing XI

Dominik Livakovic (GK), Dejan Lovren, Josko Gvardiol, Borna Sosa, Josip Juranovic, Luka Modric, Mateo Kovacic, Mario Pasalic, Marcelo Brozovic, Ivan Perisic and Andrej Kramaric.

Argentina Likely Playing XI

Emi Martinez (GK), Nahuel Molina, Nicolas Otamendi, Cristian Romero, Nicolas Tagliafico, Alexis Mac Allister, Rodrigo De Paul, Enzo Fernandez, Angel Di Maria, Julian Alvarez, Lionel Messi.