World Cup
Argentina

Argentina v Croatia - as it happened

Paul Singh 1 year ago 41.7k |

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Argentina v Croatia, 2022 World Cup, semi-final, 13/12/2022, line-ups. BeSoccer
Argentina v Croatia, 2022 World Cup, semi-final, 13/12/2022, line-ups. BeSoccer
Join us for live coverage of the World Cup semi-final clash between Argentina and Croatia at the Lusail Iconic Stadium in Lusail. The winners will face France or Morocco in Sunday's final.
Goal

List of goalscorers

L. Messi
34'
1 - 0
Julián Álvarez
39'
2 - 0
Julián Álvarez
69'
3 - 0
Press

Match report in news

End of match

End of match

  • 95'
    FT: Argentina 3-0 Croatia!! All over in Qatar and Argentina were far too good. After a quiet first 30 minutes, once Messi scored the penalty that was that. Alvarez then netted just before the interval and then scored again in the 69th minute to end any hopes of a Croatian fightback. Messi and Alvarez were on fire and Croatia's run ends here. Thanks for joining us and see you again soon!
  • 95'
    Croatia nearly et a consolation! Orsic lays off to Lovren and his 30 yard effort goes just over the crossbar!
  • 93'
    Who would have thought Argentina would be in the final after losing to Saudi Arabia? But here they are. That game was similar to Real Madrid's loss to Sheriff and they went on to win the CL. Let's see whether Argentina do the same.
  • 91'
    Majer launches a ball into the box and Martinez catches.
  • 90'
    Five extra minutes.
  • 89'
    Argentina have been terrific this evening and France or Morocco will have to bring their A game if they are to stand a chance. Croatia will play the third place play-off the day before.
Substitution

Substitution

at Argentina
  • 86'
    Argentina double sub: Correa and Foyth are on for Mac Allister and Molina.
  • 85'
    Opportunity for Croatia! The corner is flicked on by Perisic at the near post and Livaja and Lovren are unable to turn it in at the back stick!
  • 85'
    Tagliafico concedes the corner.
  • 84'
    Argentina go again through Dybala, but Gvardiol dispossesses him in the box.
Substitution

Substitution

at Croacia
  • 81'
    Croatia sub: Majer on for Modric.
  • 80'
    The ball strikes Modric straight in the face after the ball deflects off an Argentinian foot.
  • 79'
    It's party time in the stands while Croatia's players are resigned to their fate.
Substitution

Substitution

at Argentina
  • 74'
    Argentina double sub: Alvarez is off and Dybala comes on while Palacios replaces De Paul
  • 73'
    Croatia sub: Kramaric replaces Livaja.
Card

Yellow card

a Argentina
  • 71'
    Otamendi is cautioned after foul on Petkovic. Similar to Romero's card.
Goal
Goaaaaaal!
de Argentina en el 69'
  • 69'
    It's three and it's the Messi and Alvarez show!!! Messi starts it with a lovely run down the far touchline, he leaves Gvardiol for dead before cutting back for Alvarez to finish! Game, set and match.
Goal
Goaaaaaal!
de Argentina en el 69'
  • 69'
    It's three and it's the Messi and Alvarez show!!! Messi starts it with a lovely run down the far touchline, he leaves Gvardiol for dead before cutting back for Alvarez to finish! Game, set and match.
Card

Yellow card

a Argentina
  • 68'
    Romero catches Petkovic from behind and is shown the yellow card.
  • 68'
    Looks little chance of a Croatia fightback. They're trying, but Martinez has had nothing to do in the Argentinian goal.
  • 65'
    Croatia win themselves a free-kick.
  • 63'
    Almost 2-1!! A Croatian free-kick is headed by Lovren, but he can't a good connection on it and Argentina scramble it away to safety.
Substitution

Substitution

at Argentina
  • 62'
    Argentina sub: Paredes is taken off and Lisandro Martinez takes his place.
  • 58'
    The ball into the box finds Petkovic with his back to goal, play continues and the cross in is cleared.
  • 58'
    Messi!!! Argentina go again, Messi plays a one-two with Enzo Fernandez and the PDG ma is denied by Livakovic at the near post!
  • 56'
    Argentina counter through Alvarez once again, but there's no end product on this occasion.
  • 53'
    Croatia are putting the pressure on.
  • 52'
    The game is very open as Croatia are desperately looking for a goal and so Argentina will get a chance to counter.
  • 51'
    Croatia sub: Petkovic takes the place of Brozovic.
  • 50'
    Vlasic is fouled now right in front of the fourth official.
  • 47'
    The Real Madrid man's ball is easily caught by E Martinez.
  • 47'
    Vlasic is brought down 25 yards from goal. Modric will put this into the area.
  • 46'
    Argentina get the second half going again!
  • 45'
    Croatia HT double sub: Orsic and Vlasic replace Sosa and Pasalic for the second period.
  • 45'
    HT: Argentina 2-0 Croatia! Half-time in Qatar and Argentina are in a strong position. After a quiet start, the game burst into life when Messi scored a 34th minute penalty following a foul on Alvarez. Then, the second came five minutes later when Alvarez ran half the field before finishing to make it 2-0. Croatia have a tall order now. Back shortly!
  • 45'
    45+3: Croatia don't deserve to be two goals down, but Argentina have just been clinical.
  • 45'
    45+2: Argentina are caught offside.
  • 45'
    Four additional minutes.
  • 45'
    Croatia almodst pull one back!! Modric gives to Juranovic and the cross cum shot is saved by the goalkeeper!
  • 43'
    Croatia are wounded here. They're crying out for half-time.
  • 42'
    The corner in Mac Allister's header at the near post is fantastically saved by Livakovic!
  • 41'
    De Paul wants a handball as his shot strikes Gvardiol's arm, but it's by his side. Just a corner.
  • 40'
    That was sensational. Alvarez ran half the length of the pitch and made use of the good fortune he got. That was some chest control before finishing.
Goal
Goaaaaaal!
de Argentina en el 39'
  • 39'
    Argentina make it 2-0!!! What a goal!! Counter by Argentina started by Messi, he's tackled just inside his own half, the ref plays advantage and the ball breaks to Julian Alvarez. He gets some luck off Juranovic and Sosa before hitting home!
  • 38'
    Corner for Croatia now.
  • 34'
    It's been a quiet game, but Argentina now have the lead.
  • 33'
    Messi scores in emphatic fashion!! Livakovic guesses correctly, but the ball goes into the roof of the net! Put a second goalie in there if you want, that wasn't being saved!
Card

Yellow card

a Croacia
  • 32'
    Livakovic sees yellow for the foul and Kovacic for protesting. Lovren managed to clear off the line, but Alvarez was fouled.
  • 32'
    Penalty to Argentina!! A long ball forward by Enzo Fernandez finds J Alvarez, who tries to chip Livakovic and the GK takes him out. Clear.
  • 30'
    Perisic goes for the chip from inside the box as he sees the GK slightly off his line, but it lands on the top of the net. The Croatian player is adamant it should be a corner!
  • 27'
    Croatia attack through Kovacic, he gives to Kramaric and he's fouled after doing a roulette. This is 25 yards out.
  • 25'
    Enzo Fernandez! Chance for Argentina from 25 yards as the Benfica man's effort is saved by Livakovic to his left! Fairly easy in the end.
  • 22'
    The ball goes to Messi in the Argentina box after a defensive mistake, but it comes to nothing.
  • 20'
    Messi is not 100% here!! He seems to have an issue with his left hamstring!
  • 19'
    Croatia win a free-kick at midfield.
  • 17'
    Play is stopped after a clash of heads between Romero and Otamendi.
  • 16'
    A Croatia cross by Juranovic on the far side is deflected behind for a corner.
  • 14'
    Appeals for a free-kick by Argentina after Messi goes down on the edge of the box, but nothing is given.
  • 13'
    Argentina break and Modric brings down Mac Allister.
  • 12'
    Modric cuts inside from this near side and the pass is blocked.
  • 10'
    Croatia are starting to have a bit of ball as well, but nothing major has happened in the last few minutes.
  • 6'
    Pasalic catches Tagliafico so Argentina win the first free-kick of the contest.
  • 4'
    Croatia attack through Perisic and the ball from this near side is caught by the goalie.
  • 3'
    Argentina are having the early possession in this one.
  • 2'
    A long ball is played for Molina and his cross from the by-line goes out for a throw-in.
  • 1'
    Croatia get us going in the dark blue from right to left while Argentina are in the blue and white!
Start of match

Start of match

  • PRVW
    Messi and Modric are with Orsato for the coin toss.
  • PRVW
    The players come out here in Qatar!!
  • PRVW
    The Argentina XI is also out as it's the two changes as we said earlier. E Martinez (GK); Molina, Romero, Otamendi, Tagliafico; Paredes, Enzo Fernandez, De Paul, Mac Allister; Messi and J Alvarez.
  • PRVW
    That means Croatia are unchaged from the Brazil game.
  • PRVW
    Croatia's XI is now out and it's the one we expected. Livakovic (GK); Juranovic, Gvardiol, Lovren, Sosa; Modric, Brozovic, Kovacic; Pasalic, Kramaric and Perisic.
  • PRVW
    Some Croatian supporters have made their way out to Qatar for this one.
  • PRVW
    The Argentinian shirts are out in the dressing room and we should have the official team news very shortly.
  • PRVW
    His opposite number Zlatko Dalic is optimistic and has full confidence in being able to take his players one step further than four years ago. Be prepared for extra-time as, excluding the 2018 final, Croatia's last eight WC games have gone to 120 minutes.
  • PRVW
    In the build up to this one, Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni has denied his players are unsporting after the unsavoury celebrations following the victory over the Netherlands' win and says there are no hard feelings towards the Dutch.
  • PRVW
    It's 21 degrees and dry in Lusail for this one.
  • PRVW
    We'll have extra-time and penalties if needed this evening.
  • PRVW
    After some controversial refereeing displays in the quarters, all eyes will be on Italian referee Daniele Orsato tonight. Let's hope he has a good game! His compatriot Massimiliano Irrati leads the VAR team.
  • PRVW
    Croatia's XI is expected to be: Livakovic (GK); Juranovic, Gvardiol, Lovren, Sosa; Modric, Brozovic, Kovacic; Pasalic, Kramaric and Perisic.
  • PRVW
    Argentina's XI is expected to be the following: E Martinez (GK); Molina, Romero, Otamendi, Tagliafico; Paredes, Enzo Fernandez, De Paul, Mac Allister; Messi and J Alvarez.
  • PRVW
    The teams are not out as yet, but Acuna is suspended for this one for Argentina. Tagliafico is set to take his place while there are reports that Paredes will replace Lisandro Martinez as well.
  • PRVW
    Argentina reached the semi-final after beating the Netherlands on penalties in a bad tempered clash following a 2-2 draw while Croatia beat Brazil on spot-kicks after a 1-1 draw.
Info

Pre-match

13 December 2022, 20:00

Referee: Daniele Orsato | VAR: Massimiliano Irrati

Stadium: Lusail Iconic Stadium

  • PRVW
    Hello and welcome to live coverage of the clash between Argentina and Croatia in this World Cup semi-final!