FIFA World Cup 2022 Semi-Finals: What You Need to Know?

There are only four matches left in the FIFA World Cup 2022. The big soccer tournament in Qatar will be over soon. Morocco, Croatia, Argentina, and France all made it to the semifinals after the quarterfinals, which ended last week.

Morocco beat Cristiano Ronaldo‘s Portugal 1-0 to become the first African team to make it to the World Cup semifinals. Croatia beat five-time champions Brazil 4-2 on penalties to get rid of them. Argentina, led by Lionel Messi, beat the Netherlands after extra time and penalties went in its favor. The score was 2-1 for France.

The semifinals of the Qatar World Cup will start on Wednesday, December 14, and the first game will be between Argentina and Croatia. The next day, France will play Morocco (Thursday, December 15).

Match 61- Argentina vs Croatia

Argentina has never been knocked out before the semi-finals. In the semifinals of the 2018 World Cup, Croatia beat Argentina 3-0.

Argentina Team News

There were worries that Rodrigo De Paul would be hurt and miss the Netherlands’ quarter-final, but both Lionel Scaloni, the team’s manager, and De Paul himself quickly put those worries to rest. Leandro Paredes took over for De Paul after he played for 66 minutes.

In Argentina’s final-eight match, which was very physical, a record-setting 18 cards were given out. Given that number, it’s amazing that only two of Scaloni’s players are suspended. Fullbacks Marcos Acuna and Gonzalo Montiel will not play against Croatia.

Argentina Predicted lineups vs Croatia

Argentina Starting 11 (4-3-3): Alvarez ; Molina, Romero, Otamendi, Tagliafico; De Paul, Fernandez, Mac Allister; Di Maria, Messi, E Martinez.
Bench: La Martinez, Rulli, Li Martinez, Pezzella, Foyth, Paredes, Rodriguez, Palacios, Almada, Gomez, Correa, Dybala, Armani.

Croatia Team News
Four players in Croatia’s quarterfinal were one yellow card away from being suspended, including key midfielders Luka Modric and Mateo Kovacic, but they were able to stay out of trouble. Zlatko Dalic should have a team of players who are all healthy and ready to play.

Croatia predicted lineup vs Argentina

Croatia Starting 11 (4-3-3): Perisic, Livakovic; Juranovic, Lovren, Gvardiol, Sosa; Modric, Brozovic, Kovacic; Kramaric, Petkovic, Livakovic.
Bench: Budimir , Ivusic, Sutalo, Vida, Erlic, Barisic, Stanisic, Jakic, Sucic, Majer, Vlasic, Orsic, Livaja, Pasalic, Grbic.

Argentina National Football Team: Record vs Croatia

Argentina vs Croatia Score Prediction

Argentina’s collapse against the Netherlands at the end of the game wasn’t the first time they gave up a lead in Qatar. The Albiceleste were up 1-0 against Saudi Arabia in their first game, but a five-minute stretch led to the first upset of a tournament full of them. Even against Australia, things got a little scary in the last few minutes.

Croatia is not a team you should be afraid to keep a lead against. After his team turned around Brazil’s lead, Dalic said with confidence, “We have incredible strength.” “We will not give up.” Croatia has been behind in each of its last six World Cup knockout games, spanning this year and 2018. However, in five of those games, it has come back to win and move on. The only bad thing about this miraculous Lazarus effect was the final game against France.

Still, going into this semi-final, Argentina, led by a very motivated Lionel Messi, is the favorite, which is exactly what Croatia wants. Dalic’s underdogs have the talent and drive to pull off another win against the odds, but it’s not the most likely thing that will happen.

Prediction: Argentina 2-1 Croatia

Match 62- France vs Morocco

Morocco is the only team in the World Cup semifinals that has not lost a game. Morocco has never beaten France.

On December 18, the World Cup final will be held at Al Daayen’s Lusail Stadium.

France Team News

France beat England in a close game at the Al Bayt Stadium on Saturday. Deschamps only made one change. The manager and player who won the World Cup won’t likely make any changes to his starting lineup, since no one has been hurt or suspended.

France Predicted Lineup vs Morocco

France Starting 11 (4-2-3-1): Giroud; Kounde, Varane, Upamecano, T Hernandez; Tchouameni, Rabiot; Dembele, Griezmann, Mbappe; Lloris.
Bench: Thuram, Areola, Disasi, Pavard, Saliba, Konate, Guendouzi, Veretout, Camavinga, Y Fofana, Kolo Muani, Coman, Mandanda.

Morocco Team News

Before this historic semi-final, Morocco is already hurt. Noussair Mazraoui and Nayef Aguerd didn’t make it to the quarter-finals, but Romain Saiss played for 50 minutes before he had to be carried off on a stretcher.

Mazraoui couldn’t play because he was sick and had hip pain, but the Bayern Munich fullback could be back by Wednesday night. In the meantime, Yahya Attiyat Allah did a great job as his replacement.

Aguerd also wants to come back from an injury to his groin. The West Ham center-back reportedly wanted to play against Portugal, but he wasn’t considered fit enough. This may change after another four days of rest.

After getting two yellow cards in stoppage time, Walid Cheddira won’t be able to play.

Morocco Predicted Lineup vs France

Morocco Starting 11 (4-3-3): Boufal; Hakimi, El Yamiq, Benoun, Attiyat Allah; Ounahi, Amrabat, Amallah; Ziyech, En-Nesyri, Bounou.
Bench: Aguerd, Tagnaouti, Dari, Jabrane, Chair, El Khannouss, Sabiri, Abde, Aboukhlal, Hamdallah, Mazraoui, Munir.

France National Football Team: Record v Morocco

France vs Morocco Score Prediction

“When you watch Rocky, you want to root for Rocky Balboa, and I think we are Rocky Balboa of this World Cup,” Regragui said, summing up the support that Morocco got from people who didn’t like them before they beat Portugal. “I think the world is on Morocco’s side now.”

When the Atlas Lions play against football’s Apollo Creed, that comparison might be a little too true. Rocky wins the hearts of the crowd by taking the punches of the world champion, but he loses the fight because of a split decision.

Morocco may have to settle for a near miss at the end of a run that has already been good enough for a movie. The game will likely be another exciting show of tactical discipline, solid defense, and exciting play on the counter.

Prediction: France 1-0 Morocco