DOHA — Lionel
Messi and
Argentina’s World Cup dream remains alive but an indefatigable
Croatia side inspired by the enduring brilliance of Luka Modric stands in their
way in Tuesday’s semifinal in Doha.
اضافة اعلان
Argentina
have recovered from the shock of losing their opening game in Qatar to Saudi
Arabia and made the last four with an exhausting win on penalties against the
Netherlands at the end of a fractious quarterfinal on Friday.
Having been
2-0 up and cruising after 83 minutes, with Messi setting up one goal in sublime
fashion and netting a penalty, they conceded twice late on and had to survive
extra time before triumphing 4-3 in a shoot-out.
Backed by an
enormous contingent of traveling supporters who have brought the passion, noise
and color of Argentina’s own stadiums to this World Cup, Messi and his
teammates are starting to believe this really could be their year.
“We have
balls, passion, heart, and we are doing this for 45 million people,” said
goalkeeper
Emiliano Martinez, and Argentina’s optimism now has only increased
after seeing great rivals Brazil go out in the last round.
Now aged 35,
this has been billed as Messi’s last chance to win a World Cup, eight years on
from Argentina’s defeat in the final to Germany in Rio de Janeiro.
He is
determined to seize the chance and has already scored his first two goals in
the knockout rounds of any World Cup, netting against Australia in the last 16
before his penalty against the Dutch.
World Cup
glory would complete a wonderful career for the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner,
who is possibly the greatest club player ever.
After years
of being unfulfilled at international level he inspired Argentina to victory at
last year’s Copa America, but he knows there are no more dogged or durable
opponents than Croatia.
After all,
any sense of relief at avoiding having to play Brazil in the last four will be
tempered by the prospect of facing a Croatian side who knocked out the
favorites on penalties and never know when they are beaten.
“They are a
great team who matched up to Brazil and at times were much better,” admitted
Messi.
“They have
good players across the whole midfield and they have been working with the same
coach since the last World Cup, so they all know each other very well.”
‘Safer than
money in the bank’
Argentina
coach Lionel Scaloni switched to a five-man defense against the Netherlands as
he brought Lisandro Martinez into his line-up.
But the
midfield is always key against
Croatia, with Modric still controlling games at
37 and Marcelo Brozovic and Mateo Kovacic completing a formidable trio.
After
reaching the final four years ago, Croatia have beaten Japan and Brazil on
penalties to make the semis here.
They have
gone to extra time in eight of their last nine major tournament knockout
matches and the nation of just four million people has nothing to lose as they
eye a place in the final against France or Morocco.
And in
Modric they have a master, the 2018
Ballon d’Or winner who starred as Croatia
beat Argentina 3-0 in the group stage four years ago.
“I think
Mateo, Luka, and Marcelo are the best midfield in history. When you pass them
the ball, it is safer than having your money in the bank,” said Josip
Juranovic, another standout at right-back.
“We are so
lucky to have them in the team.”
Modric’s
history with Argentina goes back to 2006, when he made his international debut
for Croatia aged 20 in a friendly between the teams.
Messi scored
in that game but Croatia won 3-2. Zlatko Dalic’s team will not be afraid of
Argentina or their number 10 when the sides meet again at Lusail Stadium.
Asked about
how they would handle
Messi, Croatia forward Bruno Petkovic responded: “We
don’t have a specific plan, at least not yet, for stopping Messi and usually we
don’t concentrate on one player, but Argentina is not only Messi.”
Two players
who will not feature for Argentina, however, are defenders Gonzalo Montiel and
Marcos Acuna, both of whom are suspended.
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