There are four teams left in the World Cup, two of which decided the last edition of the tournament. In an attempt to return to the final confrontation, France, defender of the title, and Croatia, current runner-up, will face, respectively, Morocco and Argentina.
The first duel will take place on Tuesday (13), at the Lusail stadium, in Lusail. Responsible for the elimination of Brazil, by Neymar, Croatia will seek to frustrate Argentina, by Messi. In 2018, although the circumstances were very different, he showed himself capable.
The next match, on Wednesday (14th), at the Al Bayt stadium, in Al Khor, will feature an African team in the semifinals for the first time. The surprising team from Morocco, who have already left Spain and Portugal behind, will not be shy about adopting a defensive strategy for a new underdog.
Argentina vs Croatia
Lusail Stadium, in Lusail
Tuesday the 13th, 4pm
Argentines and Croatians needed penalties to advance to the semifinals of the World Cup. For the former, the martyrdom of extra time and penalties was unnecessary. For the seconds, almost a practice.
On the way to the decision of the Russian Cup, Croatia played extra time in the round of 16, in the quarterfinals and in the 2018 semifinals. In Qatar, they overcame Japan and Brazil on penalties – against the green and yellow team, they sought a tie in the 12th minute of the second additional step.
Argentina was already beating the Netherlands by two goals until the 38th minute of the second half, when it was leaked for the first time. He had the net swung again at 56 (not a typo) and, maintaining equality in overtime, he got the better of the shots from the penalty mark.
“We’re relieved, but it wasn’t a penalty shootout, it wasn’t even supposed to go to extra time,” said Messi, a star in the Alviceleste formation, who will obviously get special attention from Croatia. But not individual tagging.
“We know how he runs, how he likes to have the ball at his feet, and the key for us will be to have discipline. We need to mark him, but not man to man. As we didn’t do man to man last time”, said the coach from Croatia, Zlatko Dalic.
The reference is to the confrontation held in the 2018 World Cup, in the group stage, with a 3-0 Croatian victory. Argentina held a chaotic competition, (not) commanded by Jorge Sampaoli, and the South American star was frustrated. “You just have to look at his body language,” Dalic said four years ago.
Now, under the direction of Lionel Scaloni, the Argentina team is much better organized. Messi is older, it’s true, at 35 years old. However, in his last World Cup, he continues to lead the Alviceleste team.
On the other side will be a team that refuses to give up.
And he likes to have the ball at his feet. If Croatia score on Tuesday, the move will most likely have gone through one of the three – or three – men in their midfield. The brilliant Modric, 37, who is also making his last Cup, is helped by the competent and dedicated Kovacic, 28, and Brozovic, 30.
France vs Morocco
Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor
Wednesday (14th), 4pm
It is difficult to deny the favoritism of France, world champions in 1998 and 2018, against Morocco, the first African nation to reach the semifinals of the Cup. But it’s best not to doubt the team led by Walid Regragui, who have been showing the ability to defend themselves at a high level.
The Moroccan team conceded just one goal in five matches in the competition. It was in the first phase, in the 2-1 victory over Canada. And it was an own goal, scored by defender Aguerd, 26. Archer Bono, 31, who plays an exceptional tournament, was not beaten by any rival.
The Spaniards had 76.8% possession against Morocco, according to sports data company Opta. They exchanged an almost unbelievable 1,019 passes. However, they hit a shot on goal in 120 minutes and, after a 0-0 draw, lost on penalties. By 3 to 0. Even in the tiebreaker Bono was leaked.
The efficiency was repeated against Portugal, triumph by 1 to 0 in a header by En-Nesyri, 25. But the challenge promises to be greater against France, which has the fast Mbappé, 23, and the top scorer Giroud, 36, in excellent form .
It was Giroud who decided the 2-1 victory over England in the quarterfinals. A game in which the defending champions struggled, but returned to show strength, despite the multiple absences suffered in preparation and in the competition itself.
The main one was Benzema, elected best in the world by France Football magazine in the 2022 season. However, substitute Giroud, who went blank in winning the Cup in 2018, has already scored four times in the current edition. Mbappé celebrated five times.
Now, the goal is to surpass Bono.
“Morocco has shown resources and quality. It deserves a lot of respect”, said the number 9, worried about the possibility of the opponent adding an underdog to the already extensive list of this World Cup. “We need to give it our all against a tough opponent.”
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