FIFA World Cup: Semi-Finals: Argentina Through to Final

On Tuesday 13 December 2022, the first of two days of semi-final matches at this year’s FIFA World Cup took place in Qatar.

The first semi-final took place at the Lusail Iconic Stadium between Argentina (who defeated the Netherlands in their quarter-final) and Croatia (who defeated Brazil in their quarter-final). 

Argentina were kitted out on their first-choice light-blue and white striped jerseys, white shorts and white socks, with Croatia in their changed strip of navy blue jerseys, shorts and socks. Going into the tournament, Argentina were many people's favourite for the competition; however, they were beaten in their first game by Saudi Arabia in one of the shocks that the tournament has seen; nevertheless, they recovered to win their other two games against Poland and Mexico, then win their last-16 and quarter-finals against Australia and the Netherlands, growing into the tournament as each round progressed. Croatia, on the other hand, beat Canada and drew with Belgium and Morocco in the group, then defeated Japan and Brazil in their last-16 and quarter finals respectively (both on penalties). Both teams had done what it takes to get the the semi-final, both being tournament experts: Croatia lost the 2018 final in Russia to France; Argentina have won the tournament twice, in 1978 and 1986.

While Modric saw a lot of the early ball in midfield, Croatia also explored the left flank, with Sosa and Perisic combining to search for space in the Argentinian defence. Argentina were content to sit back and pick off stray Croatian passes from which they would counter-attack: such forays were few and far between, so Messi saw very little of the ball early on. On 20 minutes, Argentina had their first real attack but the threaded pass into the box was intercepted and cleared by the Croatian defence. 5 minutes later, after a period of Argentinian possession, Alvarez let fly with a powerful, low shot from outside the box, but Livakovic - Croatia’s hero against Brazil - saved comfortably when diving to his left. On 30 minutes, following a cheeky nutmeg by Modric, the ball found Perisic coming in from the left; he tried to lob Martínez, Argentina’s goalkeeper, but the ball bounced off the top of the net. Almost immediately, up the other end, a through ball broke the Croatian defence, with Alvarez finding himself one-on-one with Livakovic, whom the referee adjudged to have fouled Alvarez. A yellow card and a penalty to Argentina. Up stepped Messi who blasted the ball with his left foot into the back of the net. 1-0 to Argentina! On 37 minutes, Croatia had their second corner of the game, but Argentina broke, with Alvarez running with the ball at his feet; he evaded the tackle of Sosa, regained possession and shot past Livakovic. 2-0 to Argentina. On 41 minutes, Argentina almost has their third, with Mac Allister’s header from a corner forcing an acrobatic save from Livakovic. 4 minutes added time. HT 2-0 to Argentina. Croatia made 2 changes at half-time, with Orsic and Vlasic coming on for Sosa and Pasalic. The second half started as the first half did, with Argentina on the back foot. 6 minutes after the restart, Croatia made their 3rd substitution, with Petkovic replacing Brozovic. On 57 minutes, Messi git possession, played a one-two with Alvarez, and got a shot on target only for Livakovic to smother the ball. Croatia continued to build from deep, with crisp, confident passing. On 60 minutes, Paredes fouled Modric just before being replaced by Lisandro Martinez, Argentina’s first substitution. From the resulting free kick, the ball fell in the Argentinian box but was cleared before Croatia could pounce. On 68 minutes, Alvarez pounced again, after Messi went on a mazy run to the goal line and cut the ball back for the Argentinian #9 to slot the ball past Livakovic whi had been his team’s hero in the previous round. 3-0 to Argentina. Croatia respond by making their 4th change, with Kramaric being replaced by Livaja; Argentina took off De Paul and Alvarez, with Palacios and Dybala coming on. 15 minutes of normal time left; Argentina had the game won and were resting some players for the final on Sunday, with others getting a run-out. Croatia, meanwhile, had little to offer, with Argentina enjoying most of the possession. Following an interception after a poor ball by Romero, Orsic did have a shot on goal but the Croatian hit the ball over the bar. Modric, Croatia’s talisman, was taken off for Majer. Up the other end, the ball fell to Mac Allister, but his shot went wide. He went off, along with Molina, for Correa and Foyth to come on in their places. 5 minutes added time. But there was nothing that Croatia could do. FT 3-0 to Argentina.

Crostia will play in the 3rd place play-off on Saturday, with Argentina through to the final on Sunday. Their opponents will be the losers snd winners, respectively, from today’s second semi final between France and Morocco.