Key occasions
Argentina make two modifications to the XI named for the quarter-final win over the Netherlands. Nicolas Tagliafico and Leandro Paredes are available in for Lisandro Martinez and the suspended Marcos Acuña.
Croatia boss Zlatko Dalić is in If It Ain’t Broke mode. He names an unchanged aspect within the wake of the quarter-final victory over Brazil.
The groups
Argentina: Damian Martinez, Molina, Romero, Otamendi, Tagliafico, De Paul, Paredes, Fernandez, Mac Allister, Messi, Alvarez.
Subs: Armani, Foyth, Pezzella, Di Maria, Rulli, Palacios, Correa, Almada, Rodriguez, Dybala, Lautaro Martinez, Lisandro Martinez.
Croatia: Livakovic, Juranovic, Lovren, Gvardiol, Sosa, Modric, Brozovic, Kovacic, Pasalic, Kramaric, Perisic.
Subs: Stanisic, Barisic, Erlic, Majer, Grbic, Vlasic, Livaja, Petkovic, Budimir, Orsic, Vida, Ivusic, Sutalo, Sucic, Jakic.
Referee: Daniele Orsato (Italy).
Another fascinating version of PENNANT WATCH. Look at these two beauties, commensurate with a spot within the last 4. You’d need to go some to cock up both of those attractive color schemes, and though some federations would absolutely handle to take action – the FA, for instance, whose pennant designer hit print whereas halfway by way of a yawn – each the AFA or HNS have delivered a top quality product off the pitch in addition to on.
PRIMATE PREDICTION CORNER with Kent the Zagreb Zoo gibbon. Kent’s obtained all of his predictions appropriate thus far, and this afternoon the simian seer favoured the meals field with the Croatian flag on it. Again. Some observers might query the sporting and political neutrality of this train, or quibble with the methodology and pattern measurement, however we’re simply presenting occasions as they occur, with out remark or spin. So congratulations to Croatia for making it by way of to the ultimate!
Preamble
A dwelling legend will run out of street tonight. Lionel Messi needs to place these GOAT arguments to mattress by single-handedly dragging Argentina, Maradona-style, to the highest of the world. Luka Modrić, certainly one of solely two gamers to interrupt the Messi-Ronaldo Ballon d’Or duopoly of the final 14 years, goals of one other masterclass in overachievement with four-million-strong Croatia. Both of their groups are greater than able to successful this World Cup; each are removed from excellent; just one could make it to the ultimate. Good luck calling it, however this a lot we do know: in a couple of hours, certainly one of our 35 and 37-year-old superheroes can be smacked flush within the face with the realisation that their World Cup dream will nearly actually stay unfulfilled for eternity. Tears earlier than bedtime are nailed on, then. It’s a promise, a certainty, a cast-iron Guardian assure. Kick off is at 7pm GMT, 10pm on the Lusail Iconic Stadium. يحدث! It’s on!
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