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Horse Racing Argentina vs Croatia Bet Builder Tips: 7.50 Builder for World Cup Semi-Final
Argentina vs Croatia Bet Builder Tips: Tuesday, December 13th
I have studied the stats for the 2022 World Cup to bring you the latest Argentina vs Croatia bet builder tips. The Lusail Iconic Stadium hosta La Albiceleste and the Vatreni this Tuesday night. The winners will book their place in the showpiece final next Sunday where they will take on either Morocco or France. It promises to be a fascinating match.
In this article:
Argentina vs Croatia Preview
World Cup Semi-Final, Tuesday, December 13th, 19:00 (UK)
Lionel Messi looked to have activated cruise control for his side to ease past the Netherlands in Friday night’s semi-final. An exquisite no-look pass to Nahuel Molina for the wing-back to open the scoring. An ice-cold penalty conversion after 73 minutes seemingly put the contest to bed.
Dutch substitute Wout Weghorst had other ideas. Nodding home in the 83rd minute to set up a grandstand finish with what was his side’s first attempt on target. The same player finishing off an audacious free kick routine 11 minutes into additional time to take the game past 90 and eventually penalties. That man Messi capitalised on Virgil van Dijk missing the opening kick before handing over to Emiliano Martinez and then Lautaro Martinez to seal a place in the last four.
Runners-up from four years ago, Croatia had earlier in the day produced the latest shock of this tournament by defeating favourites Brazil. Neymar put his side ahead with a fantastic goal in extra time.
With time running out, Zlatko Dalić’s side produced their first and only attempt on target in the entire contest. A deflected Bruno Petkovic strike hit the back of the net and took the match to penalties.
Rodrygo had the Seleção’s first spot-kick saved and when Marquinhos stepped up needing to score to stay in the competition, he struck the post. The Croats were flawless with their four penalties duly completing their second shootout victory in successive rounds. And in doing so, helped Brazil set unwanted World Cup history. Becoming the first team in World Cup history to go ahead in extra time of a knockout match and be eliminated.
Argentina vs Croatia Stats & Facts
- If Lionel Messi plays, he will equal Lothar Matthäus for the most appearances in World Cup history (25). As well as being Argentina’s joint-highest goalscorer in the competition (10), he’s one assist away from equalling Diego Maradona’s overall record of eight at World Cup finals (since 1966).
- Luka Modric has made the most World Cup appearances (17) and most appearances at major tournaments (30) for Croatia. He’s started all five of their 2022 World Cup matches and could become only the fourth player to start six matches at a World Cup aged 37+, after Brazil’s Nilton Santos in 1962, Italy’s Dino Zoff in 1982 and England’s Peter Shilton in 1990.
- Argentina’s Lionel Messi has both scored and assisted a goal in three different World Cup matches, including two at this year’s tournament (vs Mexico and Netherlands). Since 1966, no player has ever done so in four separate games.
- Ivan Perisic needs one more goal to become Croatia’s outright all-time top World Cup scorer. He is currently tied with Davor Suker on 6 goals at the finals.
Argentina vs Croatia Bet Builder
We find Argentina the overwhelming favourites for this semi-final clash with odds as low as 1.33 for them to reach the final. Croatia may have been fortunate to have reached this stage. Arguably both Japan and Brazil were the better sides in their clashes in the last two rounds.
However, Zlatko Dalic’s side are nothing if not resilient. Eight of their last nine knockout games have been level after 90 minutes and needed to be settled by extra time or penalties. They have won five of their last six World Cup knockout games after extra time, four of those via a penalty shootout.
With a warning to La Albiceleste in that they possess a 100% record when taking a game to the “lottery” of a shootout in this competition. Dalic himself highlighted his side’s mental strength after the game against Brazil. “We beat the country with the greatest World Cup record. Only Croats can do this. We have incredible strength. We shall not surrender.”
Despite being on the verge of reaching consecutive finals, Croatia haven’t scored first in any of their last nine World Cup games, since a 2-1 win over Iceland in the 2018 group stages. This is the furthest into the competition any side has got without opening the scoring in any of their matches.
For their part, Argentina came into this tournament with a massive unbeaten run and having never been defeated in a World Cup semi-final I fully expect another tight contest. They have won just one of their last seven World Cup games against European sides (D3 L3), beating Poland 2-0 in the group stages this year. However, two of those three draws have resulted in penalty shootout victories. A draw after 90 minutes looks like a big price here and is the result I want to get on side.
For the second and final leg of this builder, I have to include Lionel Messi. There have been times in this tournament where it appears the 35-year-old is determined to drag his country over the line single-handedly. Albeit with the fervent Argentinian support roaring on his every touch. His teammates are seemingly intent on providing the perfect swansong for their illustrious compatriot.
Messi has played with a smile on his face, certainly up to the fiery encounter with the Dutch on Friday. His performances have put smiles on the faces of many million observers. Messi was once again in world-class form throughout the full 120+ minutes of the quarter final. Scoring one goal from six shots and providing an assist also. He nearly scored from a free kick as well before dispatching a second clinically taken penalty during his team’s triumphant shootout.
His total of 25 shots is the highest in the tournament. With 12 of those attempts on target also a World Cup 2022 high. The legend has managed at least two shots on target in four of his five appearances so far with the match against Mexico producing just one. As discussed above I anticipate Croatia to be a stubborn opponent and so another high return will be needed from Messi to break them down. Two or more shots on target here will provide a nice boost to an already juicy price.
- Full Time Result – Draw
- Lionel Messi 2+ Shots On Target
Bet Builder odds: 7.50
Odds via SkyBet as at 12:00 December 12th 2022. Odds may now differ.
