argentina vs croatia semi final best predicted lineup 11 world cup 2022argentina vs croatia semi final best predicted lineup 11 world cup 2022

Lionel Messi and Luka Modric in focus as we look at the best predicted lineup 11 for Croatia vs Argentina Semi-final at the FIFA World Cup 2022. 

Is the World Cup drama over? I asked myself because it’s been the best thriller I have watched so far. But you know what, we are only entering the most dramatic phase of the tournament, the World Cup Semi-finals with Croatia taking on Argentina.

Almost the majority of the pundits had predicted that team in the final four before the start of the world cup, and that’s Argentina. Havign said that, the Checkered Ones have shown the world what they are capable of, and you can’t just simply count them out.

Argentina want to win this WC for Messi and Croatia are eyeing their first-ever World Cup trophy after missing it last time around by a whisker. So, as we wait for the match to begin, let’s look at the best predicted lineup for Croatia vs Argentina Semi-final for World Cup 2022. 

History

Even analyzing the historical H2H stat won’t help in determining the winner for this match. Argentina and Croatia have faced each other 5 times earlier with both teams winning 2 matches each and drawing level on one occasion.

In World Cup, they have played twice with both teams winning one match each. Their last meeting ended 3-0 in the favor of Croatia in the WC 2018’s group stages.

Games Played: 5 //Argentina won: 2 // Croatia won: 2 // Draw: 1

Match Details

  • Date: Wednesday, December 14
  • Kickoff Time: 12:30 am IST on Dec 14 / 7:00 pm GMT (Tues, Dec. 13)
  • Location: Lusail Iconic Stadium, Qatar

Predicting Starting 11 for both Teams

Argentina Starting 11 

E. Martinez has been a star performer for Argentina for quite a few years now. He has shown an immense attitude to be the number one choice keeper for his country. Messi even named him the deserving MoM in the last match due to his stellar performance in the penalty shootouts.

It’s a bit tricky situation for the Argentine boss, Scaloni in the defensive area as full-backs Marcos Acuna and Gonzalo Montiel are ruled out due to suspension. This is due to not so happy outing for the Argentine team in the quarter-finals where a total of 17 bookings happened in the match. In their place, Nicolas Tagliafico will take responsibility for the left side. Whereas Molina will take the charge as right back.

The veteran winger Di Maria is coming off the bench against the Netherlands, and that should give hope to the Argentina team. People want to see Di Maria’s magic in the semis alongside Rodrigo De Paul, who will also start after coming back from injury in the midline.

Lionel Messi has been giving all sorts of memorable moments for footballing fans worldwide in his WC. Be it scoring goals, assisting goals, or creating chances, he has been in top form. The 35-year-old has 4 goals and 4 assists to his name and is just 1 goal behind in the race for the Golden boot this year. 

Goalkeeper: Emi Martinez

Defense: Nahuel Molina, Cristian Romero, Nicolas Otamendi, Nicolas Tagliafico

Midfield: Enzo Fernandez, Rodrigo De Paul, Alexis Mac Allister, Angel Di Maria

Attack: Lionel Messi, L.Martinez

Formation: 4-4-2

Croatia Starting 11

It won’t be an exaggeration to say that Croatian goalkeeper, Dominik Livakovic has led his team to the semis with an outstanding performance against Brazil. He made 11 saves during the game and a vital penalty save in the shootout. He has been a wall between the posts and it seems impossible to beat him. 

Croatia have been really compact and consistent with their defence, and their goal aggregate in the last five matches is 6: 3. They have not conceded more than one goal in any fixture. Thankfully, there are no injury concerns for Croatia, and their defence line would consist of Juranovic, Lovren, Gvardiol, and Sosa.

Juranovic and Lovren have been rock solid so far in the tournament with Juranovic playing every minute of it. Meanwhile, the 20-year-old Gvardiol has been brilliant at the back. The Midfield is the most sorted and strongest part of the Croatian squad. Captain Luka Modric, Mateo Kovacic, and Marcelo Brozovic have started all five matches, and will continue to do so.

Andrej Kramaric has been the highest scorer for the team with 2 goals in the tournament so far, and is likely to start the match for them. Ivan Perisic has scored one goal, and has been a firepower at the top of the pitch. 

Goalkeeper: D. Livakovic

Defense: B. Sosa, J. Gvardiol, D. Lovren, J. Juranovic

Midfield: M. Kovacic, M. Brozovic, Luka Modric

Attack: M. Perisic, A.Kramaric, M. Pasalic

Formation: 4-3-3

FIFA World Cup 2022: Argentina vs Croatia Fantasy Lineup

It’ll be a really tough pick for the fantasy 11 in this game except for a few positions. The toughest would be choosing the goalkeeper. But going by the save percentage, we would like to pick Livakovic between the post.

Juranovic at the right has been a powerhouse and will be our pick. Looking at the solid Croatian defence, we will pick Sosa at the back who has started and ended every game for the team. Otamendi and Romero have been excellent for Argentina. They have won 47 tackles and have been better at recoveries.

It’s a tough selection in the midline. We would pick Modric and Kovacic from Croatia and Mac Allister and Di Maria from Argentina. These are the best players, and a lot will depend on their performance. They are surely responsible to add the magic to the game.

There is no doubt that the little Magician, Lionel Messi is the top choice for anyone in the forward position. His ability to get back and start the moves from the scratch gives a lot of advantages to his team. We’ll choose Martinez alongside him to continue his top form in the tournament.

Goalkeeper: D. Livakovic

Defense: J. Juranovic, Cristian Romero, Nicolas Otamendi, B. Sosa

Midfield: M. Kovacic, Luka Modric, Alexis Mac Allister, Angel Di Maria

Attack: Lionel Messi, La. Martinez

CVC Choice: Lionel Messi, D. Livakovic

Thanks for reading! What’s your take on Argentina vs Croatia lineup at FIFA World Cup 2022?  Please email your thoughts to footbalyticsofficial@gmail.com


ALSO READ: FIFA World Cup 2022: The Unlucky Players 11 to Miss the Tournament


© Footbalytics

By Himanshu Tyagi

Himanshu is an author at Footbalytics. He is a sports freak and Football is his first love. He is a National level football player himself. With the world full of Messi's, Ronaldo's and Gerrard's fans, he is a die hard fan of Iker Casillas. Though he is a Sales Manager by profession, he would never miss playing football with his mates.