The quarterfinal matchup pits 2014 Brazil World Cup runner-up Argentina against 2018 Russia
Roth (name)
World Cup runners-up CROATIA are in the lead, and both teams had to battle it out in the PKs in the last eight to reach the semi-finals. Messi and Modric will be hoping to win the Cup in their last World Cup match.
No.10 Modric (left) and Messi (right) in their last World Cup match.
Comparing the data of the previous five games, offensively, Argentina scored in every game and was quite stable in its offensive performance; while the Croacia part, the offensive part was relatively weak, minus the 4-goal game against Canada, the other four games only in the
semifinals
Argentina and Croacia scored one goal against Australia and the Netherlands, while Croacia conceded one goal each against Japan and Brazil. In defense, there was not much difference between the two sides. Argentina conceded three goals against Australia and the Netherlands, while Croatia conceded one goal each against Japan and Brazil. It's worth noting that Argentina has been the first to score in all of their matches this year, while Croacia has been the first to concede in all of the matches in which they've conceded goals, and then either tied the match or reversed it.
The key to win this game will still be the performance in the midfield, Croesusia due to the weakness of the front line, so the line will be pulled near the midfield, hoping to increase the opportunity of rapid transition of attack and defense through the midfield interceptions, the midfield defense composed of Modric, Brozovic, Kovacic against the Brazilian campaign made the Brazilian control of the ball in the midfield is very uncomfortable, the Argentinean midfielder in this game! Mac Allister, Enzo Fernandez, De Paul have to try to break through to give the ball to Messi, in order to have a chance to break through the World Cup this year has a chance to win the Golden Glove Award Livakovic ten fingers.
Livakovic has been extremely impressive this term, scoring only three goals on the PKs
Due to the weakness of the Croats' forward line, unless the Croats have been broken down too early like in the 2018 Championship and need to be pressed heavily, you can expect this game to be a fierce battle in the midfield, but the main attacker will be Argentina. In what is expected to be a scorched-earth battle, whoever can keep the attention of both sides for 90 minutes and possibly 120 minutes will be the winner of this likely low-scoring battle.
Key players for Croesus: Livakovic's ability to maintain a stable link with the back line and keep 0 goals conceded, and Modric's ability to be fit enough to maintain his form in the field and control the midfield.
Argentina's key personnel: whether Messi as the pivot of Argentina's offense can link up Argentina's attack, whether Enzo Fernandez can use his youthful fitness to scramble and break through the control of Croesus' midfield.
