We don’t get a Brazil vs. Argentina World Cup semifinal, but this is a meeting of the last two World Cup runners-up with both Argentina and Croatia eager to go all the way and lift the trophy. Visit our sportsbook to get the best World Cup markets and bonuses.
Let’s check the latestWorld Cup odds, stats, injury reports, andWorld Cup linesforArgentina vs Croatia. We’ve plenty of World Cup betting odds for you to consider.
Argentina Team Total Over 1½ (+125)
Leo Messi’s dream to lift the World Cup remains a possibility after Argentina knocked out the Netherlands on penalties in what was a heated Quarter-Final. The South Americans won’t be facing Brazil as most expected because Croatia knocked out the competition favorites on penalties following a 1-1 draw and now the two countries meet at the World Cup once again on Tuesday.
Croatia beat Argentina 3-0 at the last World Cup but we’re backing Messi and co to have their revenge in Qatar. Argentina look very good going forward and up until the final moments against the Dutch, they were strong at the back as well. Croatia don’t offer as much of a goal threat as the Dutch but should be harder to break down. Still, we expect the South Americans to progress through to the final.
Croatia have managed to reach the extra time in five of their last six World Cup knockout matches, only failing to do so in the 4-2 defeat to France in the 2018 final. Argentina won’t risk taking Croatia to penalties so they will be eager to solve the game in extra time.
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Argentina Money Line 1st Half (+165)
The other factor to watch is fatigue. While both teams played extra time in the quarterfinals, Croatia has done that for two matches in a row. Croatia did win two shootouts and an extra-time match en route to the final in 2018.
Croatia has come from behind in regular time to win in penalty shootouts in both knockout matches eventually. However, we expect La Albiceleste to do better defensively in this clash but also try to make their life easier and to approach the second half with a goal lead that’s why we will include this betting option in our soccer picks and parlays.
Argentina and Total Under 3½ (+110)
Argentina and Croatia have combined for 6.26 expected goals this World Cup through the first halves of their 10 total matches played. After the break, they open up to the tune of 8.5 combined xG. While Croatia dominated Brazil with their approach of deflating the ball with meaningless possession, Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni will now have a few days to figure out how to attack this tactic and get his best player on the ball.
Croatia never stops fighting, while Argentina has collapsed in several games during the past World Cups. This will definitely change and we’re backing the South Americans to reach the final in regular time. Goals are becoming rare as the clock ticks towards the final. Croatia and Argentina have both bagged two clean sheets so far in five games played.
The odds and predictions in the article are based on the time of writing and publication. They may differ as to when the actual event takes place.
