A place in the 2022 World Cup final is up for grabs when Argentina take on Croatia at the Lusail Stadium on Tuesday evening.
La Albiceleste moved a step closer to World Cup glory as they saw off the Netherlands on penalties thanks to Emi Martinez’s shootout heroics. They triumphed 4-3 on penalties after the hotly-contested 120 minutes of action had ended in a dramatic 2-2 draw.
Lionel Scaloni and co. must quickly shift their focus towards the semi-final clash with Croatia, who dumped out Brazil—one of the tournament’s favourites—in the quarter-finals on penalties.
Argentina Team News
Full-backs Marcos Acuna and Gonzalo Montiel will sit out the meeting with Croatia after picking up yellow cards against the Netherlands in the quarter-final last week.
Rodrigo de Paul lasted 66 minutes against the Oranje before he was replaced by Leandro Paredes, after there were fears that he could miss the quarter-finals through injury.
Predicted Argentina Lineup vs Croatia (4-3-3)
Goalkeeper
Emiliano Martinez was Argentina’s shootout hero against the Dutch, saving two penalties under immense pressure. He is a certainty to start in between the sticks in the Argentina lineup.
Defence
Lionel Scaloni opted to match the Netherlands’ setup of a back five in the quarter-finals, bringing in an extra defender in Lisandro Martinez. However, reverting to a flat back four could see Martinez drop to the bench, meaning Nicolas Otamendi and Cristian Romero will pair up in central defence in the Argentina lineup.
Nahuel Molina, who scored the opener against the Netherlands, is guaranteed to keep his spot at right-back, but Marcos Acuna’s suspension means that the services of Nicolas Tagliafico will be required from the start at left-back.
Midfield
Enzo Fernandez has grown into a deeper role as the World Cup has progressed, and he should be confident of starting against Croatia in the Argentina lineup. Supporting Fernandez in the middle of the park will be Alexis Mac Allister and Rodrigo de Paul, who have played crucial roles in Argentina’s qualification to the semis.
The trio of Fernandez, De Paul and Mac Allister will need to be at their best to dominate a hugely experienced Croatian midfield on Tuesday.
Attack
Lionel Messi has been in outstanding form throughout the World Cup campaign, and with four goals and two assists in five games, he will pose the biggest threat to Croatia. He will operate in a false 9 role, with Julian Alvarez bringing pace, creativity and width from the left.
Angel di Maria came on as a second-half substitute against the Dutch but should be ready to start in the semi-finals. He will start on the right flank in the Argentina lineup.
The likes of Leandro Paredes, Papu Gomez and Lautaro Martinez could be involved at some point in the game, as Argentina look to book their spot in the World Cup final.
