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Croatia beat Brazil via penalty kicks and Argentina knocked out the Netherlands with penalty kicks, which is why Luka Modric will lead the Croatians onto the pitch on Tuesday to take on Lionel Messi and Argentina. Will Messi and the Albiceleste get it done? Or will Modric help Croatia make it to a second straight World Cup Finals? Check out FIFA World Cup Odds, analysis, and a free pick for Argentina versus Croatia.

2022 FIFA World Cup Betting Analysis: Argentina vs Croatia Matchup

FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022: Semifinal – Argentina versus Croatia

When: Tuesday, Dec. 13 at 2:00 pm ET

Where: Lusail Iconic Stadium, Lusail, Qatar

TV/Streaming: FOX

Handicap Odds: Argentina -0.5 -131 / Croatia +0.5 +103

Moneyline Odds: Croatia +400 / Argentina -125 / Draw +244

Total Odds: O 2.5 +143 / U 2.5 -184

Why Croatia is a good play versus Argentina

When Croatia met Argentina in 2018, Modric and his mates dominated, beating the Argentinians 3-0. But Croatia’s past history versus Argentina isn’t the only reason to like them against Messi and the Albiceleste on Tuesday.

The real reason to back Croatia is because they play excellent defense and have a no-die attitude. Argentina fell behind versus Japan before beating that opponent via penalty kicks. The Croatians fell behind against Brazil before scoring a late goal to tie it up and then besting Brazil via penalties. Croatia won’t give up, which makes them incredibly difficult to beat for any team, even one led by Lionel Messi.

Croatia Last 5

W – 1-1 vs. Brazil
W – 1-1 vs. Japan
D – 0-0 vs. Belgium
W – 4-1 vs. Canada
D – 0-0 vs. Morocco

Croatia Predicted Starting Lineup

Livakovic
Gvardiol
Lovren
Barisic
Stanisic
Brozovic
Kovacic
Modric
Budimir
Perisic
Vlasic

Why Argentina is a good play versus Croatia

After the embarrassing first-match loss against Saudi Arabia, Messi and his mates stepped it up big time. Argentina rolled through Mexico and Poland.

Then in the Round of 16, the Argentinians beat Australia before the classic against the Netherlands. In that quarterfinals match, Messi and Argentina beat one of the most impressive teams during the WC.

Not only that but because the game came down to penalty kicks, Aston Villa goalie Emiliano Martinez had a chance to prove he’s an excellent keeper. Martinez stopped a pair of Orange kicks to seal the Argentinian win.

Argentina Last 5

W – 2-2 vs. Netherlands
W – 2-1 vs. Australia
W – 0-2 vs. Poland
W – 2-0 vs. Mexico
L – 1-2 vs. Saudi Arabia

Argentina Predicted Starting Lineup

Emiliano Martinez
Lisandro Martinez
Otamendi
Correa
Gonzalez
De Paul
Paredes
Di Maria
Messi
Lautaro Martinez
Alvarez

Final Betting Analysis: Croatia vs Argentina

Croatia is a solid team, but on Tuesday, Croatia is up against a soccer power on a mission. Since losing to the Saudi’s, no team has played with more of a chip on their shoulder than Lionel and his mates.

Even versus the Orange, the Argentinians were coasting to a win before the Dutch rallied. No doubt, the Netherlands got a hand from a yellow card handing out referee. The ref gave out a ridiculous 17 yellow cards, including one that led to the Netherlands’ first goal.

To be fair, he didn’t send Leandro Paredes off the pitch even though Paredes kicked the ball into the Dutch bench. So it’s difficult to say the ref was one-sided.

Still, it’s difficult to win a match when the ref is so flippant with yellows. Messi’s leadership proved invaluable.

Lionel’s leadership is why the Albiceleste gets it done on Tuesday. Argentina goes up at least a goal on Croatia and then doesn’t fold, instead, coasting to the World Cup Finals.

World Cup Pick: Argentina -125

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