Both Argentina and Croatia have scraped and clawed their way to the World Cup semifinals, and now one will be moving on to the title match after they meet at Lusail Iconic Stadium.
With aging legendary players leading the charge on both sides, either Lionel Messi or Luka Modric will play for a chance at football history.
For Messi, 35, his push to be considered the greatest player of all time would be cemented with a World Cup title, as it remains the only remaining achievement to evade him. Meanwhile, Modric, 37, remains a world-class player and carrying tiny Croatia to back-to-back World Cup finals would be considered one of the greatest international achievements ever.
With legendary status on the line, these two nations will hope to earn an invitation to the game's most coveted match — the World Cup final.
LIVE: Argentina vs Croatia as it happens in World Cup semifinal
Pre-match odds via BetMGM, Caesars, and FanDuel (USA), Sports Interaction (Canada), SkyBet (UK), and Ladbrokes (Australia).
Argentina vs Croatia odds, lines, handicaps to win
Despite Croatia's tactical masterclass against Brazil in the last round, Argentina are still considered heavy favorites in this semifinal match given the presence of Messi and their all-round quality.
Even more so, however, is the indication that sports books expect a lack of goals in this game, with the under swung massively in its favor and the "no" option on both teams to score given a huge advantage as well. This despite the two teams' quarterfinal games featuring a combined six goals and no clean sheets.
MORE: Full betting preview for Argentina vs Croatia with picks, best bets, props, and fliers
Odds via BetMGM (USA), Sports Interaction (Canada), SkyBet (UK), and Ladbrokes (Australia).
| BetMGM | Sports Interaction | SkyBet | Ladbrokes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Argentina win | -115 | 1.89 | 17/20 | 10/11 |
| Draw | +225 | 3.25 | 23/10 | 11/5 |
| Croatia win | +360 | 4.30 | 18/5 | 7/2 |
| Both teams to score Y / N | +115 / -165 | 2.20 / 1.53 | 1/1, 8/11 | 11/10, 4/6 |
| Over / Under 2.5 goals | +135 / -190 | 2.41 / 1.55 | 5/4, 4/7 | 11/8, 8/15 |
| Argentina -0.5 | -125 | 1.89 | — | — |
| Croatia +0.5 | -115 | 1.90 | — | — |
| Argentina advance | -250 | 1.45 | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Croatia advance | +180 | 2.56 | 7/4 | 17/10 |
Note: Odds above for 90 minutes of regulation except "to advance."
Argentina vs Croatia team news, injuries
The fitness of Angel Di Maria will be the biggest question ahead of this match for Argentina. The 34-year-old winger was utilized only as a late punt at the death against the Netherlands as he looked to recover from a muscle issue suffered at the end of the Round of 16 game against Australia. Rodrigo de Paul was an injury worry ahead of the Netherlands game, but he proved fit to start.
Croatia have no injury worries to speak of heading into this match. Mateo Kovacic was a worry before the quarterfinal match after a facial injury during a gym session, but he was fit to start. Nikola Vlasic had a muscle injury in the group stage but has recovered, while Marcelo Brozovic has recovered from his pre-tournament hamstring issue to be a key part of the Croatia midfield.
Yellow cards accumulated to this point are wiped in the semifinal, so no players can be suspended for the World Cup final because of accumulation. Only players sent off in the semifinal would be at risk for a suspension in the final.
Argentina vs Croatia goalscorer odds
Lionel Messi, understandably, is the player considered most likely to score, but a number of other Argentina players are given a good chance to feast off Messi's creative talents. Meanwhile, Croatia striker Andrej Kramaric is considered the most likely player on his side to find the back of the net.
Two players one might want to stay away from, at least on the first goalscorer market, are Lautaro Martinez and Paulo Dybala, who have been little more than a bench option for head coach Lionel Scaloni. Dybala in particular has not seen a single minute of action this World Cup, while Martinez has yet to start since the second group stage match.
Argentina goalscorer odds vs. Croatia
| BetMGM | Sports Interaction | SkyBet | Ladbrokes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| L. Messi | First: +300 Any: +130 | First: 4.70 Any: 2.28 | First: 11/4 Any: 11/10 | First: 3/1 Any: 13/10 |
| J. Alvarez | First: +450 Any: +210 | First: 7.00 Any: 3.16 | First: 11/2 Any: 9/4 | First: 9/2 Any: 21/10 |
| L. Martinez | First: +450 Any: +210 | First: 7.20 Any: 3.26 | First: 11/2 Any: 9/4 | First: 9/2 Any: 21/10 |
| P. Dybala | First: +500 Any: +230 | First: 7.80 Any: 3.47 | First: 13/2 Any: 5/2 | First: 5/1 Any: 23/10 |
| A. Correa | First: +700 Any: +320 | First: 11.00 Any: 4.52 | First: 17/2 Any: 7/2 | First: 8/1 Any: 7/2 |
Note: Odds above for 90 minutes of regulation only.
Croatia goalscorer odds vs. Argentina
| BetMGM | Sports Interaction | SkyBet | Ladbrokes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A. Kramaric | First: +700 Any: +300 | First: 12.00 Any: 5.00 | First: 8/1 Any: 10/3 | First: 7/1 Any: 3/1 |
| A. Budimir | First: +750 Any: +333 | First: 13.00 Any: 5.20 | First: 17/2 Any: 7/2 | First: 15/2 Any: 10/3 |
| M. Livaja | First: +750 Any: +333 | First: 13.00 Any: 5.20 | First: 17/2 Any: 7/2 | First: 15/2 Any: 10/3 |
| B. Petkovic | First: +800 Any: +350 | First: 14.00 Any: 5.40 | First: 9/1 Any: 4/1 | First: 8/1 Any: 7/2 |
| I. Perisic | First: +900 Any: +400 | First: 15.00 Any: 6.00 | First: 10/1 Any: 9/2 | First: 9/1 Any: 4/1 |
Note: Odds above for 90 minutes of regulation only.
Argentina vs Croatia half odds
It's no surprise that the favorites Argentina are the ones given the best chance to dominate the match.
Croatia have won only three halves this World Cup — both against Canada in the group stage, and one against Japan in the Round of 16. However, they've also lost only one half, the first half against Japan.
| Caesars | SkyBet | Ladbrokes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Win either half | ARG: -185 CRO: +205 | ARG: 1/2 CRO: 7/4 | ARG: 8/15 CRO: 17/10 |
| Win both halves | ARG: +450 CRO: +1800 | ARG: 11/2 CRO: 22/1 | ARG: 5/1 CRO: 22/1 |
| Half most goals | 1H: +225 Draw: +200 2H: +107 | 1H: 9/4 Draw: 2/1 2H: 6/5 | 1H: 12/5 Draw: 21/10 2H: 1/1 |
Note: Odds above for 90 minutes of regulation only.
Argentina vs Croatia cards & corners odds
Cards are expected to flow in this match. Argentina have earned 10 yellow cards this tournament, joint-third most in the field. Croatia have earned only six but have been whistled for 69 fouls, third-most of anyone at the World Cup.
Referee Daniele Orsato has not officiated a match since the group stage, but in his two matches, he dished out 11 total yellow cards and whistled for one penalty. He officiated the Argentina vs Mexico match in the second round of group stage play, giving one card to Argentina's Gonzalo Montiel and four to Mexico.
| FanDuel | Sports Interaction | SkyBet | |
|---|---|---|---|
| ARG O/U 2.5 cards | +162 / -215 | — | — |
| CRO O/U 2.5 cards | +128 / -164 | — | — |
| ARG 30+ book pts | — | — | 6/4 |
| CRO 30+ book pts | — | — | 6/5 |
| O/U 4.5 total cards | +106 / -134 | -120 / -115 | — |
| 50+ total book pts | — | — | 1/1 |
| N. Otamendi booked | +220 | — | 11/4 |
| M. Livaja booked | +160 | — | 1/1 |
| ARG red card | +570 | — | 7/1 |
| CRO red card | +520 | — | 13/2 |
| Either/Both red card | +320 / +2500 | — | 10/3, 40/1 |
| Over 8.5 total corners | +104 | 2.03 | 10/11 |
| ARG over 4.5 corners | -128 | — | 4/6 |
| CRO over 3.5 corners | +104 | — | 11/10 |
Note: Odds above for 90 minutes of regulation only.
Note: Cards totals count a straight red card as two cards, while a second yellow to a red counts as three total cards (one for initial yellow, two for red).
How do booking points work?
Instead of counting total cards in a match, "booking points" are utilized in Europe to summarize the disciplinary record of a team or match.
Here is how booking points are calculated:
- One yellow card = 10 booking points
- One red card = 25 booking points
- Second yellow card = 35 total booking points (10 for initial yellow, 25 for red — 2nd yellow does not contribute)
