Lionel Messi. (Photo by Nader Davoodi ATPImages/Getty images)
Lionel Messi and Argentina’s World Cup dream remain alive, but a tireless Croatian side inspired by Luka Modric’s continued brilliance stands in their way in Tuesday’s semifinals in Doha.
Argentina have recovered from the shock of losing their opening game in Qatar to Saudi Arabia and advanced to the semi-finals on Friday with a grueling penalty shootout win over the Netherlands.
After taking a 2-0 lead after 83 minutes, with Messi creating a superb goal and scoring a penalty, they conceded two late goals and had to survive extra time before triumphing 4-3 on penalties.
Backed by a massive contingent of traveling fans who brought the passion, noise and color of Argentina’s own stadiums to this World Cup, Messi and his team-mates are beginning to think this could truly be their year.
“We’ve got balls, passion, heart and we’re doing this for 45 million people,” said goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, and Argentina’s optimism is even higher after great rivals Brazil were eliminated in the last round.
Now aged 35, this has been billed as Messi’s last chance to win a World Cup, eight years after Argentina lost in the final to Germany in Rio de Janeiro.
He is determined to seize this opportunity and has already scored his first two goals in the knockout rounds of a World Cup, scoring against Australia in the round of 16 before scoring a penalty against the Netherlands.
The world title would round off a wonderful career for the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner, who is possibly the greatest club player of all time.
After years of unfulfillment at international level, he spurred Argentina to victory in last year’s Copa America, but he knows there are no opponents more tenacious or enduring than Croatia.
Finally, any relief at not having to play Brazil in the Round of 16 is tempered by the prospect of meeting a Croatian side who knock out the favorites on penalties and never know when they’ll be beaten.
“They are a great side who could compete with Brazil and at times were much better,” admitted Messi.
“They have good players throughout midfield and have worked 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 when he added Lisandro Martinez to his squad.
But midfield is always key against Croatia, with Modric still controlling games at 37 and Marcelo Brozovic and Mateo Kovacic completing an impressive trio.
After reaching the final four years ago, Croatia beat Japan and Brazil on penalties to reach the semi-finals there.
They have gone into overtime in eight of their last nine knockout games at major tournaments and the nation of just four million has nothing to lose by aiming for a place in the final against France or Morocco.
And in Modric they have a champion, the 2018 Ballon d’Or winner who beat Argentina 3-0 in the group stage four years ago as Croatia.
“I think Mateo, Luka and Marcelo are the best midfielders in history. Passing the ball to them is safer than having your money in the bank,” said Josip Juranovic, another outstanding right-back.
“We are so lucky to have her on the team.”
Modric’s history with Argentina dates back to 2006, when he made his international debut for Croatia in a friendly between the sides at the age of 20.
Messi scored in that game but Croatia won 3-2. Zlatko Dalic’s men will not be afraid of Argentina or their number 10 when the sides meet again at the Lusail Stadium.
When asked how they would deal with Messi, Croatia striker Bruno Petkovic replied: “We don’t have a concrete plan, at least not yet, to stop Messi and we don’t usually focus on one player, but Argentina isn’t just Messi .”
Two players not available for Argentina are defenders Gonzalo Montiel and Marcos Acuna, both suspended.
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