Argentina vs Croatia: World Cup Semi-Final Tuesday 13th December 2022

The first of the two World Cup semi-finals sees Argentina take on Croatia with a place in Sunday’s final the prize.

Two-time World Cup winners Argentina, who last won the tournament in 1986 are the match betting favourites at 1.90, with the draw 3.20 and Croatia on offer at 4.75.

They last met in 2018, which was in the World Cup as well (group stages) and that ended in a 3-0 win for Croatia, which can be backed at 51.00 for Tuesday’s match.

Argentina suffered that shock opening World Cup defeat to Saudi Arabia but has since bounced back to win their group and in the knockout stages have seen off Australia and last Friday needed penalties to get by Netherlands.

Croatia, in contrast, are still unbeaten at the World Cup and strangely have only won the one game (90 mins) to get this far – drawing four and winning one – so it’s fair to say Croatia do like a stalemate at the moment.

The European side have also lost just one of their last 21 and are 11 games unbeaten too.

8 of Croatia’s last 11 games have also gone Under 2.5 Goals, so this might appeal at 1.53, but a slight word of caution here as 80% of Argentina’s last 10 matches went the other way with Over 2.5 Goals.

Argentina have scored in 37 of their last 39 games too, while Croatia have netted in 17 of their last 20 – so both teams to find the back of the net might also be of interest at 2.10.

Looking at the scorers, Lionel Messi, who has bagged four World Cup 2022 goals so far has also scored 14 times in his last 9 games for Argentina will be popular as always at 4.33 (1st) or 2.50 (anytime).

While Croatia’s Ivan Perisic is their top scorer from the players in the current squad – he’s netted 33 times from 120 caps and can be backed at 12.00 (1st) or 6.00 (anytime).

Overall, with Argentina having a FIFA ranking of 3 and Croatia 12, then the South American side will be the favourites to win here. But Croatia, who lost in the last World Cup Final (2018) are always a tough nut to crack and can be expected to make life difficult. They’ve already took a big scalp in the tournament when beating Brazil last time and will be looking to go in again here.

A draw looks a fair option at 3.20, but the safer overall bet will be to side with Under 2.5 Goals – a bet that has paid out in 73% of Croatia’s last 11 matches.

BEST BET: UNDER 2.5 GOALS @ 1.53

 

Argentina vs Croatia Head-to-Head

  • FIFA World Rankings, Argentina 3, Croatia 12
  • Met 4 times in the past, Argentina 2, Draws 0, Croatia 2
  • Last players, (2018, World Cup) Argentina 0-3 Croatia
  • The last 3 head-to-heads went OVER 2.5 GOALS
  • Croatia have scored in their last 3 vs Argentina

Argentina Match Stats

  • Argentina have won 2 of their last 4 games 2-0
  • Argentina have lost just 1 of their last 41 games
  • Both teams DIDN’T score in 9 of Argentina’s last 13 games
  • Argentina have won 9 of their last 13 games ‘to nil’
  • 8 of Argentina’s last 10 games went OVER 2.5 GOALS
  • Argentina have scored in 37 of their last 39 games
  • Messi has scored 14 goals in Argentina’s last 9 games
  • Top Scorer: Lionel Messi 94 goals, 169 caps

Croatia Match Stats

  • Croatia are 11 games unbeaten
  • Croatia have lost just 1 of their last 21 games
  • 8 of Croatia’s last 11 games went UNDER 2.5 GOALS
  • Croatia have drawn 4 of their last 5 games
  • Croatia have scored in 17 of their last 20 games
  • Croatia have won 3 of their last 10 games 1-0
  • Croatia have conceded just 4 goals in their last 10 games
  • Top Scorer: Ivan Perisic (33 goals, 120 caps)