Argentina vs Croatia Tips: Betting Odds, Preview & Predictions For This Showdown
Argentina vs Croatia Predictions:
- Draw At Half-Time - Evens With Betfair
- Argentina To Keep A Clean Sheet In 90 mins - 11/10 With Coral
- Julian Alvarez To Score Anytime In 90 mins - 5/2 With Bet365
Argentina and Croatia will go head-to-head on Tuesday for a place in the World Cup semi-final, with betting sites making the South American side the favourites.
Lionel Scaloni’s side did things the hard way in the last eight. With seven minutes of normal time remaining, they looked to be cruising towards a 2-0 victory over the Netherlands, who had struggled to create chances throughout the match.
However, a dramatic double from Wout Weghorst - the second goal came in the 11th minute of stoppage time - forced an additional 30 minutes of play.
Argentina eventually triumphed on penalties, but it was a close run thing with the Dutch.
Croatia also required spot-kicks to overcome Brazil, having found an equaliser in the 117th minute to cancel out Neymar’s strike in the first period of extra time.
They are now through to an incredible third World Cup semi-final in only their sixth appearance as an independent nation.
Which of these teams will be taking part in Sunday’s final at the Lusail Stadium? Check out the latest betting odds and our preview of the match below.
Argentina Flying The South American Flag In The Semi-Finals
Argentina did not know what had hit them. A goal from Nahuel Molina and a Lionel Messi penalty had put them in a commanding position on Friday, with Scaloni’s side seemingly on the way to the semi-finals after a stress-free evening.
But Weghorst’s brace meant they ultimately only squeezed past the Dutch, whom they had held at arm’s length for most of the encounter.
Brazil’s defeat by Croatia means Argentina are the only South American nation left at this World Cup, along with two from Europe and an African nation for the first time.
As the reigning kings of their continent - the Albiceleste beat Brazil 1-0 in last year’s Copa America final - it feels apt that Argentina are now the sole fliers of the flag for South America in Qatar.
Lionel Messi and Co. have scored in three of the five first halves they have played this winter, but the breakthrough might take a little longer to come against Croatia.
With the stakes so high, we anticipate a cagey opening 45 minutes, with neither team willing to take too many risks.
A draw at half-time could be an astute choice on World Cup betting sites, with the two sides likely to cancel one another out after both Argentina and Croatia participated in gruelling quarter-finals.
Tip: Draw At Half-Time - Evens With Betfair
Brave Croatia May Struggle To Find The Net
Croatia have not won a World Cup game outside of the group phase in 90 minutes since 1998.
That is remarkable given they were the runners-up four years ago and are again still in the World Cup betting odds as one of the final four nations who can win it all.
Aside from the 2018 final, each of their last five World Cup knockout matches has gone to extra time/penalties and Croatia have triumphed on every occasion.
It is quite the feat. The Vatreni held their nerve on spot-kicks against Japan in the round of 16, before dispatching Brazil by the same method on Friday.
Most expected the Selecao to sail through to the semis after Neymar put them ahead, but this Croatia team never knows when it is beaten.
That is a major strength. Zlatko Dalic’s side have not really turned on the style in Qatar, save for a dominant display for an hour of the 4-1 triumph over Canada.
But Croatia are dogged, determined and near-impossible to beat. Time and time again they find a way to stay alive.
However, Dalic’s men have scored only one goal inside 90 minutes in their last three matches.
Argentina were solid for most of their meeting with the Netherlands, so a clean sheet should be within reach and might be a clever bet on football betting sites.
Tip: Argentina To Keep A Clean Sheet In 90 mins - 11/10 With Coral
Alvarez Can Shine On The Big Stage
Julian Alvarez was on the bench at the start of Argentina’s World Cup campaign, but he forced his way into the team in the group phase and has remained there ever since.
The Manchester City forward may not figure highly in the Golden Boot betting, but he should get the nod up top once more at the Lusail Iconic Stadium on Tuesday.
Scaloni switched to a 3-5-2 formation for the Netherlands game, wishing as he did to match up with the Dutch’s three-man backline.
A return to 4-3-3 is likely here, particularly if Angel Di Maria is deemed fit enough to return to the starting XI.
Di Maria’s inclusion would probably see Alvarez fielded on the left of a front three, allowing him to cut inside onto his stronger right foot.
He will also be encouraged to stay narrow and fill the space vacated by Messi when he drops deep to create.
That means Alvarez should not have too much trouble getting into goalscoring positions - so, back him on betting apps to find the net anytime against Croatia.
Tip: Julian Alvarez To Score Anytime In 90 mins - 5/2 With Bet365
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