Croatia is now one match away from a 2nd straight World Cup Final. What a ludicrous yet absolutely delightful thought for us Croatians and our fans around the world.
To put that into perspective, only 13 nations have ever played in a World Cup Final since the tournament’s inception in 1930 and only eight nations have been crowned champions to date. England and Spain have only played in one Final apiece. Uruguay, who hosted the inaugural tournament, have won it twice in their only Final appearances, but they occurred in 1930 and 1950 when the tournament only consisted of 13 countries. The point of sports is to be the best, win championships, and put silverware on the mantle. There is no denying this. But you need to get to Finals first to achieve that feat. And if Croatia were to beat Argentina on Tuesday, they would be the 10th nation ever to play in a World Cup Final multiple times. Wrap your head around that. England and Spain can’t even say that although their solo appearances did yield ultimate victory. Croatians have rapidly instilled confidence in its current crop of players AND future generations that a World Cup title is possible for the country of Croatia.
But let’s keep chugging down Perspective Lane for a moment. Croatia’s first eligible World Cup as an independent nation was 1998; where the Vatreni took home 3rd place. It was also the first World Cup to feature 32 teams. In 2018, Luka Modrić and company raised the bar with a World Cup Final berth. And now, the Vatreni are one match away from running it back; possibly against France. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. One game at a time.
Regardless of what happens against Argentina, Croatia are guaranteed a seventh game at this year’s World Cup: whether it be the Final or the 3rd Place match. At worst, Croatia is already guaranteed a 4th place finish. At worst.
That means in seven possible World Cups since being able to play as Croatia in 1998 (Croatia didn’t qualify in 2010), they have finished 2nd and 3rd with another Finals appearance on the horizon in 2022.
-nation of 4 million
-3 semifinal (or better) performances since 1998 where all tournaments have been played with 32 teams
-42% of all World Cups since 1998 have had Croatia play in the semifinals
Please wrap your head around all that information.
But look. You have to lift the Cup and win the whole thing if you want to go down in history. Simple as that. Football players play the World Cup to place a golden star above their country’s crest. That star lives forever and Croatia are once again in position to put a star above the HNS crest for the first time in history. How pretty would that look?
Regardless of what happens this tournament, what Croatia have accomplished as a country and as a footballing nation since 1998 is nothing short of a sports miracle. Soak it all in, folks! It’s an absolute privilege to reach this stage of the World Cup and our boys are putting on quite the ‘Cardiac Croatian’ show for all of us to witness. First: surviving Belgium. Then: coming from behind to defeat Japan in penalties. Lastly: shocking the world by sending Brazil home!
Next stop: Argentina.
I came across this video on YouTube. Don’t know exactly when this footage was filmed but it shows Modric hyping up Liva and boosting his confidence. There’s no doubt in my mind Luka pushed Liva to fulfill his role and stay focused. This is what a true leader he is made of. He steps up and takes innovative. Liva has been by far the biggest improvement I’ve seen on the team. A captain like Luka should be seen as example for role model. Not a bitching Ronaldo that whines when he gets benched for being insufficient. Or even Messi when he dives game after game. I don’t care what anyone thinks, Luka is the best midfielder to ever play the game of football. No what ifs, ands or buts. Zidane even knows too while coaching Luka for four years.
https://youtube.com/shorts/MBqaMOuHlko?feature=share
It’s from the Fifa/Netflix docuseries “Captains”, well worth watching for all the Modric parts. Gives some great behind the scenes looks from qualifying.
Italian ref is from far north Italy..Argentines are mostly immigrants from the south of Italy(friction).Also .he’s European and some Italians live in croatia. He’s won refing awards.1990 world cup ..argentina beat Italy home soil..Arg and Germany final..Italians fans boed argentina.Its the var ref who okayed the penalty last cup from perisic controversial hand ball..
The reffing in the Argentina vs Netherlands game was atrocious! 17 yellows I believe? The ref lost complete control of the game…but generally the reffing has been quite good vs past tourneys.
That’s being said, having this Italian crew is a big disadvantage. As I mentioned in the earlier thread there is a massive Italian population in Argentina. In addition, after the bitching Messi and his crew of cigane did during and after their last game, they might get a few calls. There should actually be suspensions for a number of their players for our game, but FIFA won’t nut up because it’s Messi. Instead I fear the Messi agenda might bite us a bit this game. Argentina will continue its rough and dirty play and try to get under our skin except that it won’t work. We are mentally way too strong at this point.
We need to focus on our game and not get drawn into this. Even though it will be a home game for Argentina given how well many fans they’ve had, I still believe we somehow get this done, again!
Hopefully more of us can show up and give the boys more fan support.
Ajmo momci!!
Iznad svih HRVATSKA!!!
I want us to score first just incase any favoritism BS goes down with Argentina and they get a goal. Let us put the game to bed in 90 minutes like we did in 2018.
They will try to get under our skin, but you’re right, at this point we are on a mission and we won’t be provoked like NL. The mistake NL made was that they got too emotional and forgot to go out there and actually win the game.
I’m hoping this one doesn’t go to PKs because Argentina is really good at them too.
Argentina was far too good for Holland was the way I saw it, good on Holland for making a game of it, but the better team won in my opinion. We woulda been very lucky if Holland went through.
That LB being out for Argentina is huge for us, he was awesome against Holland.
As for them getting under our skin they do have some hot heads themselves, so I don’t know if I’d be playing that game with a Final up next for the winner, so I wouldn’t be wasting anytime thinking about that.
They would want revenge for 2018, so I see it as all the pressure is on them, and a 4 years older (not better) Messi in particular.
Honestly, the refereeing has been pretty good this WC. I’ve watched almost every game and can’t recall any blatant refereeing blunders or favouritism. We usually have to play against 11 plus the referee in past tournaments. I have a really good feeling we can win the whole thing.
The refreeing was pretty horrible for the FRA-ENG and ARG-NL games
And it was horrible for the CRO vs ARG game. Just foreshadowing. Kidding fellas, we good
Looking at the rosters and past formations, we match up well with Argentina. It’s too bad that we lack a true RW to take full advantage of the suspensions. That said, I like Pasalic’s height and running in this match. And if they do return to a back 4, then Petkovic should likely start. Our midfield is better, but have to commit to cutting off Messi’s supply and force him to drop deep to get involved. We don’t want him dribbling into our box, no matter how well the defense has played. I recall a great El Classico where Kovacic absolutely erased him, so I hope that he’s fit to run. Martinez is a skillful player, but chokes in big moments. I think that we can handle him. I’m hoping that we score first to put the pressure on them, and perhaps postpone my fatal heart attack until Sunday.
I would sell my soul for us to score first.
You don’t have to. We will prevail. Put your mind at ease young man. We good bro
https://sportstar.thehindu.com/football/fifa-world-cup/news/angel-di-maria-injury-update-muscle-left-foot-netherlands-vs-argentina-playing-xi-fifa-world-cup-qatar-2022-bench-louis-van-gaal/article66245147.ece
Do we know if Di Maria is fit to play. I’m really hoping he’s still out injured.
Be prepared for an absolute aggressive full out gongshow on Tuesday. Argentina are by far the most filthy, unclassy and cheating side I’ve ever witnessed. What do you really expect from a nation made up of discount Italians and Spaniards. There’s no sportsmanship component to the Argentinian football team. If we can shutdown Messi and Alveraz and keep them apart, that’s 95 percent of the offence. Fernandez is another key midfielder. Keep in mind Argentina has three players suspended on red cards. Gomez who is a left winger but not a starter but did start against Australia and Saudi Arabia. Acuna that is a key CB who has started the last four games. Then finally Montiel is gone. He’s a right back but obviously not a starter with Motlina as the stater RB. The one thing I’ve noticed with Argentina is they’ve switched the formation three twice the last three games. I got a theory that they’ll play a 4-3-3. They’ll put Otmendi, Martinez, Molina and Romero. Then Fernandez, MacAllister and De Paul. Upfront will be Messi, Martinez and Alvarez. If someone sees that dirty fucker Paredes on the field, break his legs. They’ll definitely bring him on as a sub to get underneath the skin of our players. That dirty prick should be out with a red as far as I’m concerned. We can win this. Argentina know that they have three players gone. Two of which are key players and have played lots of minutes. Finding replacements and figuring out formations will be difficult for the coach. The one part that concerns me is Argentina’s goalkeeper. If we somehow went to a third penalty shootout. He’s quick and goes right up to opposing player to chirp. Unclassy but its allowed. I’ll be scared if we have to face him in PK’s. Whatever happens Tuesday, this is dream of a run. To not only make a two semi finals of a World Cup in a row, beat Brazilian giants, win two consecutive penalty kicks again. That’s a story in itself enough. Let’s keep the fairytale alive. It’s a rollercoaster of emotions. The fatigue and sore muscles will play a factor if we win and win in extra time or penalties. Let’s fucking win a GD game in 90 minutes and not concede first. You can’t win championships chasing games and play another game of football before a final. France will beat Morocco no doubt. France hasn’t gone into extra time and the last time I recall was Euro 2016 final losing to Portugal. Let’s stay composed and not play and be drawn in by the Argentinian dirty tactics. Messi will searching for a time to dive if he’s shutdown. A win and we’re facing France in a rematch.
Ajmo decki
ZDS
I thought only Acuna and Montiel were out for the game against Croatia. Is Alejandro Gomez out as well? It doesn’t seem that he has any yellow cards.
Also any news on Di Maria injury? I hope he doesn’t play. He’s a threat on the wing.
As far as I know it’s only Acuna and Montiel suspended for our match.
I don’t know yet on Di Maria injury status.
Gomez is out on an ankle injury likely
My apologies. Gomez is out with an injury. In regards to Di Maria’s status, he’s a 50/50 based on what I’ve read. Here’s an article I found regarding Argentina’s injuries and other news.
It looks like last game Argentina played a centre back (Martinez) as a left back. And another centre back (Romero) at right back) that’s a lot of position mismatching. Argentina can’t maintain a consistent 11. Not to mention they alternate player’s positions and formations.
I was also looking at the starting 11 for Argentina Vs Croatia back in 2018. My word, that lineup was a complete disaster…we did play well and scored a lucky opening goal by Rebic. However, the managers selections was atrocious. Lionel Scaoloni took over two months after Argentina got knocked out by France. thus far, he’s had 5 losses while taking charge.
One big stat I saw..in case we go to extra time against Argentina. They only losses they have at penalties or in extra time is against Germany in 2006 QF and the final in 2014.
Also, that Italian referee is fine. He called a fair match when we played Denmark in the round of 16. Also officiated a CL final. and given the best referee award in 2020.
https://football-italia.net/di-maria-hoping-to-start-for-argentina-but-lautaro-martinez-dropped-again/
He also reffed the Mexico Argentina game? (I think) No issues there either
and 50% of the world cups we play in, we make the semi final, insane record no one else can top.
Great news. Not. So we have an Italian ref Tuesday, Daniele Orsato. But guess who the VAR assistant is. Massimiliano Irrati, also of Italy, who was a VAR assistant for the 2018 final. He was also an assistant VAR assistant for the Czech Euro 2020 game when the Czechs got the bullshit penalty on the Lovren “elbow”. Guess he’s going for the hat trick Tuesday.
Oh no
So that Juranovic handball from the Brazil game? If anything like that happens Tuesday, guaranteed its a penalty. I’m actually shocked Brazil didn’t get the call.
It was already offsides beforehand so the handball wasn’t reviewed. The same way they didn’t give us a penalty in the Belgium game
I hope our guys will know to be careful this time. I’m hoping it goes well, fingers crossed. Messi is given golden treatment, we need to make sure no matter what that we don’t commit fouls inside the box.
So far we’ve been pretty clean.
The Uruguay vs Brazil game in 1950 in front of 173,850 fans has to be the most impressive road win of all time. My friends father was there as a teenager and he told me incredible stories.
Maybe, we can tell stories about this year God Willing!