Croatia have already ended Neymar’s World Cup dream. Now they hope to do the same to Lionel Messi.On Tuesday in the semifinals, Argentina must defeat Croatia, who finished as runners-up in 2018. Messi aims for the one major trophy that has eluded him. But Croatia, who lost to France in the final in Russia, are on their own mission to go one step further this time around.
I don’t think we need to fear anybody. We need to look at ourselves to play our best game, Croatia defender Josip Juranovic said Sunday. I would say the secret of our success is our togetherness, our unity. The fact that we act and play as a family.
Neymar was left in tears after Croatia beat Brazil 4-2 on penalties following a 1-1 draw through extra time in their quarterfinal match. Argentina’s march to the semifinals has been led by Messi, who has four goals in five games. In the quarterfinal matchup with the Netherlands, the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner’s assist for Nahuel Molina was a stroke of genius. Messi seems to have decided to take on the responsibility of leading his nation to its third World Cup victory and first since 1986.
Argentina last made it to the championship game in 2014, losing 1-0 to Germany at Brazil’s Maracana Stadium. Messi is just one game away from having another opportunity to win football’s most prestigious prize, but that was the closest he has ever come to doing so.Croatia appears calm for now ahead of the game at Lusail Stadium.
We don’t have a specific plan, at least not yet, for stopping Lionel Messi, Croatia striker Bruno Petkovic said. Usually we don’t concentrate on just stopping one player but the whole team. The way we approach that is we need to stop them as a team. Not by man marking or some kind of similar tactics. Argentina is not only Messi. One of Croatia’s main strengths is a midfield led by Real Madrid star Luka Modric. Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic described it as the best midfield in the world after beating. Brazil, adding that it paralysed Neymar and Brazil.I think Mateo (Kovacic), Luka (Modric) and Marcelo (Brozovic) are the best Croatian midfield in history, Juranovic added. When you pass them the ball it’s safer than. having your money in the bank. Everything gets real easy when you play with them.Do you believe Messi will be able to live his world cup dream?Comment down below.
