Croatia squad for World Cup 2022 semifinal: Roster, key players, lineup and likely formation for knockout clash with Argentina

Croatia shocked the world in 2018 when they made the World Cup final, and they are on the cusp of achieving it again as they have embarked on another fantastic run in Qatar.

The Europeans were not at their best in the group stages, as they finished second behind fellow semifinalists Morocco, but their sheer determination and ability to stay in the game saw them come from behind against Japan to then defeat them on penalties. They repeated the trick in stunning fashion against Brazil in the quaterfinal.

The mental fortitude of Zlatko Dalic's side has also shown in the two shootout successes, with no penalty misses and goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic producing crucial saves.

Their next test is another tough one, as they face an Argentina side led by Lionel Messi that also needed penalties to get to the semifinals. Messi has had many magic moments so far in the tournament and a stubborn Croatia backline will need to be at their best, as will their star midfield Luka Modric.

The Sporting News breaks down the Croatia squad, how they have lined up in the World Cup so far and the key players Dalic will need to fire if they are to make a second straight World Cup final.

MORE: Argentina vs Croatia betting preview, odds, predictions, best bets

Croatia World Cup roster

There are nine players who were part of the 2018 squad that have returned four years later, many of whom have played key roles in the side again in Qatar.

The world-class midfield of Luka Modric, Marcelo Brozovic and Mateo Kovacic has started every game at the tournament, with Kovacic replacing Ivan Rakitic from the 2018 run as part of the starting midfield in Qatar.

Winger Ivan Perisic has also remained a key figure in attack, whilst Andrej Kramaric has been elevated from a bench role in Russia to a starting one in Qatar, through the retirement of Mario Mandzukic and the omission of Ante Rebic.

Dejan Lovren continues to be a mainstay in the middle of defence, with Borna Sosa and Domagoj Vida also still in the squad, though Sosa is a starter now and Vida has been confined to the bench.

Goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic, who didn't play a game in Russia, has become the starting keeper and also one of the most important players in the side, with his crucial saves helping Croatia get to the semifinals.

Some of the changes over the last four years include one of Europe's most exciting defenders in Josko Gvardiol partnering Lovren at the back, while Celtic's Josip Juranovic has played all the games so far at right-back, and Nikola Vlasic and Mario Pasalic have started in attack at different times.

Coach Dalic has opted to stay with the same 4-3-3 shape for every game with the goalkeeper, central defensive pairing and midfield remaining unchanged throughout the tournament. He has rotated his attack slightly at times, with Kramaric sometimes playing as a striker or out wide, with Bruno Petkovic and Marko Livaja leading the line on those occasions.

Croatia key players vs Argentina

Luka Modric

Far and away the best and most important player for Croatia is their midfielder who ages like a fine wine.

Modric won the Golden Ball for best player at the last World Cup, and he has once again been brilliant in the middle of the park to help keep Croatia ticking.

Whilst he hasn't scored or assisted yet in the tournament, he controls the tempo in the midfield, as well as having an ability to distribute the ball and make game-breaking passes to the Croatia attackers better than any midfielder. He is a massive asset for a team like Croatia, that does not always posses a better starting 11 than their opponents.

Don't let the stats sheet fool you: if Croatia win, Modric has probably had a great game whether he gets goals and assists or not.

Dominik Livakovic

One of the changes to the side that came second in Russia, Livakovic has been arguably Croatia's best player at this World Cup.

He only conceded one goal in the group stages, but it has been the knockout rounds where he has come alive. He saved two penalties in the Round of 16 shootout against Japan, helping Croatia progress after originally being behind 1-0 at halftime.

But it was his performance against Brazil that made fans and pundits stand up and take notice. He made 10 saves during the game itself, many of which came in the second half and extra time when Brazil barraged the Croatia goal with shot after shot. And despite conceding to a Neymar wonder goal, Croatia got a goal back to take the game to penalties.

Livakovic then saved Rodrygo's effort, before Marquinhos' spot-kick hitting the post sent Croatia through.

For his performances in both knockout games, Livakovic was twice awarded the FIFA man of the match award.

#FIFAWorldCup Round of 16 Man of the Match.#FIFAWorldCup quarterfinals Man of the Match.

Dominik Livaković is starting a pretty nice collection! 🏆#Qatar2022 #Family #Vatreni❤️‍🔥 pic.twitter.com/DRRP9L8uF4

— HNS (@HNS_CFF) December 9, 2022

Ivan Perisic

The man who scored Croatia's first goal in the 2018 final has once again been a key cog in their attack, starting every game and picking up a goal and two assists.

The Tottenham man's mobility may have decreased slightly from four years ago, but he still has the stamina to have played every game and performed well in all of them.

Like Modric, he has the ability to break a game open with a brilliant piece of attacking play and also has an experienced head that means he won't get flustered when the going gets tough (something Croatia have needed a lot in this tournament).

Outside of their 4-1 win over Canada, Croatia have only scored two goals in Qatar, which has to change if they are to win the World Cup, and Dalic will be leaning heavily on his left winger to produce a moment of magic to nudge them over the line.

Croatia predicted lineup vs Argentina

There are likely to be very few changes to the side that beat Brazil, with the only question mark being who will start at right wing.

It's the one position that has seen the most change, with Andrej Kramaric sometimes shifted from striker to that spot, and Mario Pasalic and Nikola Vlasic also starting games there.

Given Bruno Petkovic's goal against Brazil, Dalic may opt to reward him with a starting spot that would see Kramaric shift once again to right wing. He did have his best game of the tournament here against Canada when he scored twice

(4-3-3, right to left): 1. Livakovic (GK) — 22. Juranovic, 6. Lovren, 20. Gvardiol, 19. Sosa — 10. Modric, 11. Brozovic, 8. Kovacic — 9. Kramaric, 16 Petkovic, 4. Perisic

Croatia vs Argentina head to head

Croatia and Argentina have clashed five times before, including twice at the World Cup.

Their first World Cup meeting came in the group stages at the 1998 tournament, when Argentina came out as 1-0 victors thanks to a Mauricio Pineda strike that enabled them to top the group. Ironically, Croatia would end up progressing further than Argentina, making the semifinal whilst Argentina were eliminated in the stage prior.

Their other World Cup meeting came once again in the group stages, in Russia 2018 and this time with Croatia coming out on top.

It was a comprehensive win as Croatia blew away Argentina with three second-half goals to secure a 3-0 win that helped mark themselves as a team to beat in Russia. Modric pulled the strings and scored a goal from distance.

They have met three times more in friendlies, with the sides winning a game each and drawing the other one.

Simply incredible from #CRO as they seal their place in the knock-out stages with a historic victory!

Take a bow, @HNS_CFF 👏👏👏#ARGCRO pic.twitter.com/pW9hyQGCAa

— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) June 21, 2018

MORE: Argentina vs Croatia head to head

Croatia squad at World Cup 2022