Match preview
The first semi-final match between Argentina and Croatia will take place on December 13 at the Lusail Iconic Stadium, which will then host the final. Argentina got a 2-1 win against Australia in the play-offs, and then beat the Netherlands only in the penalty shoot-out. The Croatian team has already had two penalty shoot-outs at the tournament in Qatar - in the Round of 16 they were better than Japan, and in the quarter-final, Zlatko Dalić's players sensationally beat the main favourite of the tournament, Brazil.
The winner of this semi-final will compete for the title on December 18 with the winner of the match between France and Morocco. The loser will play in the third-place match at Khalifa International Stadium in Al Rayyan on December 17. According to Argentina vs Croatia odds, South Americans are the favourites, but the bookmakers have made a lot of mistakes in this competition. As for predictions of a future World Champion, France are at the top of the table, followed by Argentina and Croatia. No one is taking Morocco into account.
For the South Americans, this will be their fifth World Cup semi-final. They have never been eliminated at this stage before. Croatia, despite their relatively short history of independence, will play in the semi-finals of the main football tournament for the third time. In 1998, they lost to France, and 20 years later they beat England by a goal in extra time. Let's take a look at how the teams played in the play-offs and also give our Argentina vs Croatia prediction.
Argentina were drawn against Australia in the first round of the play-offs and hardly anyone doubted that La Albiceleste would win. But they narrowly missed out on a comfortable lead after goals from Lionel Messi and Julián Álvarez. With 15 minutes remaining in regular time, the Australians scored once before launching a number of counterattacks, one of which could have resulted in a goal in the final added minute. The situation was similar in the quarter-final match against the Netherlands. It was 2-0 again before Argentina loosened their grip and allowed two shots on Emiliano Martínez's goal to make it 2-2. In extra time, Lionel Scaloni's team tried to win, but 8 shots on goal towards Andries Noppert's net weren't enough. It was Argentina's goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez who was brilliant in the penalty shoot-out, saving two shots and leading his team to the semi-finals.
Croatia again made their way into the World Cup play-offs, just as they did four years ago, through organised defensive play and penalty shoot-outs. In the Round of 16, the Checkered Ones held a tied game against Japan (1-1) and correctly distributed their strength. The Croatian players, unlike their opponents, maintained the good level throughout the full 120 minutes and the penalty shoot-out, where goalkeeper Dominik Livaković performed a real feat with three deflected shots.
The match against Brazil was a serious test for the Balkan defence. Constant pressure on Livaković's goal did not bring any result until the end of the first extra time period when Neymar scored. Croatia continued to look for their chances on the counterattack, one of which, in the 117th minute, ended with their only shot on target. And it was enough - Bruno Petković's goal brought another penalty shoot-out for Croatia. Dominik Livaković was brilliant again as he saved one penalty and the Croatian players converted all their attempts.
Argentina vs Croatia odds
Croatia are used to being underdogs. Argentina vs Croatia betting odds again hint at a defeat for the European team. You can bet on Lionel Scaloni and Lionel Messi’s team to win in regular time at odds of 1.85 (17/20), while on a draw at odds of 3.40 (12/5). The odds on Croatia to win after 90 minutes are 5.20 (21/5).
Argentina vs Croatia prediction
On December 13, Argentina will once again face a defensive team. If in the match against the Netherlands, the South Americans still got some freedom in the opponent's half, in the semi-final they will be opposed by the real masters of drying the game with an impenetrable Livaković in goal. The Argentines may create something by some clever moves, such as Lionel Messi's inventive passing and unexpected shots.
As for Argentina vs Croatia tips, we expect that it will not be a spectacular match. Zlatko Dalić's team, determined to wreck the opposition's attacks, will be able to rely only on counterattacks, as in the game with Brazil. The South Americans are also unlikely to take any risks in attack: at this stage of the tournament, a single mistake can decide everything. Our prediction for the match is Under 2.5 goals. Today, for this option, the odds are 1.60 (3/5). Extra time is also very likely in this match. Some bookmakers offer the odds of 3.50 (5.2) for this bet.
Free tips
To round off our Argentina vs Croatia betting tips, here are the statistical trends of the teams to help you decide which bet to place on the game.
- 15/17 - Bet on Argentina to win World Cup matches with a handicap (-1) in regular time has won just two times in the last 17 games. Croatia, on the other hand, have won with a handicap (+1) 11 times in their last 12 World Cup matches.
- 6/7 - Argentina have scored at least two goals in 6 of their last 7 World Cup games.
- 6/8 - In the last eight official games, Argentina have had more than 9 corners only twice. In Croatia's matches, a bet on Under 9.5 corners has won seven times in a row.