Croatia with all hope and believe to reach back-to-back finals when they face Argentina in Today’s semi-final at Lusail Iconic Stadium.
Lionel Scaloni Argentina boss has lot of decisions to make when he picks his starting line-up to face Croatia.
A switch to five at the back brought Lisandro Martinez back into the XI for the penalty
shootout win over the Netherlands in the quarters, after a 2-2 draw and extra time.
Full-backs Marcos Acuna and Gonzalo Montiel are unavailable due to suspension.
But, Nicolas Tagliafico could come in on the left side of defence and Nahuel Molina can continue on the right.
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Whether Scaloni opts with a four- or five-man defence could depend on Angel Di Maria’s fitness.
Di Maria coming off the bench against Netherlands after an injury.
Papu Gomez is a doubt with an ankle knock that kept him out of the quarter-final.
Lionel Messi will continue up front for Argentina and Lautaro Martinez is competing with Julian Alvarez to start alongside the captain.
Croatia have no fresh injury or suspension concerns, Borna Sosa having returned to start their dramatic win over Brazil in the last round.
Bruno Petkovic’s late leveller has put him back in contention to start after Andrej Kramaric’s quiet performance.
Mario Pasalic will hope to keep his place in the attack.
Predicted Argentina XI:
E. Martinez;
Molina, Romero, Otamendi, Li. Martinez, Tagliafico;
De Paul, Fernandez, Mac Allister;
Messi, La. Martinez.
Predicted Croatia XI:
Livakovic;
Juranovic, Lovren, Gvardiol, Sosa;
Modic, Brozovic, Kovacic;
Pasalic, Petkovic, Perisic.
