Following their exploits at the 2018 World Cup, it was hard to envisage Argentina and Croatia meeting at the semifinal stage four years on.
Zlatko Dalic's men made it all the way to the final in Russia, losing 4-2 to France, and that felt like a one-time achievement for a European nation with a population of 3.9 million.
But Croatia have once again shown their big-tournament pedigree, battling to penalty-shootout wins over Japan and Brazil.
Their previous World Cup encounter with Argentina was nowhere near as close as they romped to a 3-0 group-stage win over Jorge Sampaoli's chaotic incarnation of the Albiceleste.
Successor Lionel Scaloni has restored pride in his national team and has Lionel Messi on course for a farewell World Cup triumph on the back of belatedly tasting glory at last year's Copa America.
Below are the lineups for both teams based on the latest news leading up to the match at Lusail Stadium.
Argentina vs Croatia lineups
Perhaps understandably, Scaloni does not wish to place too much weight upon that previous encounter in Nizhny Novgorod, where Ante Rebic, Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic got the goals.
"We expect a tough match and it's against a really good team. They are a proper team, they play as a team and they will make things challenging," he told his pre-match news conference.
"I don't think we can go into comparisons with the previous World Cup but I am convinced they are a really good team. It will be a tough game. Croatia have a specific style and I don't think they will change that."
Argentina have been backed by incredible support in Qatar and tens of thousands more fans are making the trip in the tournament's final week.
"All Argentinians are hopeful. We play for all of our people," Scaloni said.
"We are so appreciative of the Argentina fans, we know how much it costs to come all the way over here. We know what is expected of us."
As Morocco prepare to take on France in the other semifinal, Dalic believes his side have served as inspiration to teams from outside football's traditionally elite nations.
"The Croatia national team four years ago made a dream a reality for all small countries. We gave those countries the right to have those dreams," he said.
"Four years ago, nobody expected Croatia to reach the final. They have been encouraged by our fight and our quality."
Argentina starting 11
(4-4-2, right to left): 23. E. Martinez (GK) — 26. Molina, 13. Romero, 19. Otamendi, 3. Tagliafico — 7. De Paul, 24. E. Fernandez, 5. Paredes, 20. Mac Allister — 9. Alvarez, 10. Messi
- Injured: None
- Suspended: Marcos Acuna, Gonzalo Montiel
Scaloni switched to a 3-5-2 setup versus the Netherlands to match Louis van Gaal's formation but reverted to a back four against Croatia, with the battle for midfield supremacy key.
Luka Modric, Marcelo Brozovic and Mateo Kovacic present a tricky proposition for any side in world football and Scaloni recalled Leandro Parades in a bid to find more control in central areas. Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez makes way.
Angel Di Maria returned from a thigh injury as a late substitute against the Dutch and Messi's long-time ally will have to make his impact from the bench once more.
Marcos Acuna and Gonzalo Montiel are suspended after collecting their second bookings of the tournament. Acuna is replaced at left-back by Nicolas Tagliafico.
Croatia starting 11
(4-3-3, right to left): 1. Livakovic (GK) — 22. Juranovic, 6. Lovren, 20. Gvardiol, 19. Sosa — 10. Modric, 11. Brozovic, 8. Kovacic — 15. Pasalic, 9. Kramaric, 4. Perisic
- Injured: None.
- Suspended: None.
Unlike Argentina, Croatia didn't pick up any suspensions from their quarterfinal win against Brazil. Aside from the obvious wear and tear of going 120 minutes once again, Dalic had no specific fitness concerns.
Substitute Bruno Petkovic scored the equaliser against Brazil and was set up by Mislav Orsic, who similarly produced a lively cameo from the bench. Nikola Vlasic was another alternative to freshen up the forward line but Mario Pasalic kept his place in an unchanged XI.
Argentina vs Croatia World Cup squads
Here are the names on the Argentina and Croatia World Cup squads in Qatar. (Caps and stats correct as of start of the tournament).
Argentina World Cup squad
| Position | Player | Club | Age | Caps |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goalkeeper | Franco Armani | River Plate (ARG) | 36 | 18 |
| Goalkeeper | Emiliano Martinez | Aston Villa (ENG) | 30 | 19 |
| Goalkeeper | Geronimo Rulli | Villarreal (SPA) | 30 | 4 |
| Defender | Marcos Acuna | Sevilla (SPA) | 30 | 43 |
| Defender | Juan Foyth | Villarreal (SPA) | 24 | 16 |
| Defender | Lisandro Martinez | Man United (ENG) | 24 | 10 |
| Defender | Nahuel Molina | Atletico Madrid (SPA) | 24 | 19 |
| Defender | Gonzalo Montiel | Sevilla (SPA) | 25 | 19 |
| Defender | Nicolas Otamendi | Benfica (POR) | 34 | 93 |
| Defender | German Pezzella | Real Betis (SPA) | 31 | 32 |
| Defender | Cristian Romero | Tottenham (ENG) | 24 | 12 |
| Defender | Nicolas Tagliafico | Lyon (FRA) | 30 | 42 |
| Midfielder | Rodrigo De Paul | Atletico Madrid (SPA) | 28 | 44 |
| Midfielder | Enzo Fernandez | Benfica (POR) | 21 | 3 |
| Midfielder | Alejandro 'Papu' Gomez | Sevilla (SPA) | 34 | 15 |
| Midfielder | Alexis Mac Allister | Brighton (ENG) | 23 | 8 |
| Midfielder | Exequiel Palacios | Bayer Leverkusen (GER) | 24 | 20 |
| Midfielder | Leandro Paredes | Juventus (ITA) | 28 | 46 |
| Midfielder | Guido Rodriguez | Real Betis (SPA) | 28 | 26 |
| Forward | Julian Alvarez | Man City (ENG) | 22 | 12 |
| Forward | Thiago Almada** | Atlanta United (USA) | 21 | 1 |
| Forward | Angel Di Maria | Juventus (ITA) | 34 | 124 |
| Forward | Paulo Dybala | AS Roma (ITA) | 28 | 34 |
| Forward | Angel Correa* | Atletico Madrid | 25 | 22 |
| Forward | Lautaro Martinez | Inter Milan (ITA) | 25 | 40 |
| Forward | Lionel Messi | PSG (FRA) | 35 | 165 |
*Replaced the injured Nicolas Gonzalez
**Replaced the injured Joaquin Correa
Croatia World Cup squad
| Position | Player | Club | Age | Caps |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goalkeeper | Dominik Livakovic | Dinamo Zagreb (CRO) | 27 | 33 |
| Goalkeeper | Ivo Grbic | Atletico Madrid (SPA) | 26 | 2 |
| Goalkeeper | Ivica Ivusic | Osijek (CRO) | 27 | 5 |
| Defender | Josip Stanisic | Bayern Munich (GER) | 22 | 6 |
| Defender | Borna Barisic | Rangers (SCO) | 29 | 27 |
| Defender | Martin Erlic | Sassuolo (ITA) | 24 | 3 |
| Defender | Dejan Lovren | Zenit St Petersburg (ITA) | 33 | 71 |
| Defender | Borna Sosa | VfB Stuttgart (GER) | 24 | 8 |
| Defender | Josko Gvardiol | RB Leipzig (GER) | 20 | 12 |
| Defender | Domagoj Vida | AEK Athens (GRE) | 33 | 99 |
| Defender | Josip Juranovic | Celtic (SCO) | 27 | 21 |
| Defender | Josip Sutalo | Dinamo Zagreb (CRO) | 22 | 3 |
| Midfielder | Lovro Majer | Rennes (FRA) | 24 | 10 |
| Midfielder | Mateo Kovacic | Chelsea (ENG) | 28 | 83 |
| Midfielder | Luka Modric | Real Madrid (SPA) | 37 | 154 |
| Midfielder | Luka Sucic | RB Salzburg (AUS) | 20 | 3 |
| Midfielder | Marcelo Brozovic | Inter Milan (ITA) | 29 | 76 |
| Midfielder | Nikola Vlasic | Torino (ITA) | 25 | 41 |
| Midfielder | Mario Pasalic | Atalanta (ITA) | 27 | 42 |
| Midfielder | Ivan Perisic | Tottenham Hotspur (ENG) | 33 | 115 |
| Midfielder | Kristijan Jakic | Eintracht Frankfurt (GER) | 25 | 4 |
| Forward | Andrej Kramaric | Hoffenheim (GER) | 31 | 73 |
| Forward | Marko Livaja | Hadjuk Split (CRO) | 29 | 14 |
| Forward | Bruno Petkovic | Dinamo Zagreb (CRO) | 28 | 22 |
| Forward | Ante Budimir | Osasuna (ENG) | 31 | 15 |
| Forward | Mislav Orsic | Dinamo Zagreb (CRO) | 29 | 20 |
READ: MESSI & RONALDO: DESTINATION MUNDIAL | THE FULL SERIES
