Argentina v Croatia: Messi faces stern Croatia test to get one step away

Lionel Messi will hope to take a step closer to that elusive World Cup trophy when Argentina face Croatia in the semi-final on Tuesday.

Standing in Argentina’s way are the side who shocked favourites Brazil on penalties in the quarter-finals to book their place in this round.

This semi-final sees the two most recent runners-up go head-to-head, with both hoping to overcome previous final heartbreak and go one further by lifting the trophy in Qatar.

Argentina also needed penalties to progress to the last four, surrendering a 2-0 lead to the Netherlands in normal time before coming out on top after spot-kicks.

La Selección showed great resilience after conceding an equaliser from the last kick in 90 minutes. They then got through extra-time, before two saves from Emi Martinez in the shoot-out secured their passage.

Despite falling at the final hurdle in Russia four years ago, Croatia have defied expectations by reaching a third World Cup semi-final.

They have faced tough opposition on their journey in Qatar, facing fellow semi-finalists Morocco as well as Belgium in their group. They then overcame giant-killers Japan in the last 16 before seeing off Brazil in the quarter-final.

Luka Modric has remained imperious in midfield despite being 37, with Dominik Livaković’s spectacular performance in goal against Brazil no surprise to anyone who has watched him throughout the tournament. He has also made four saves in penalty shootouts so far in Qatar.

The enduring quality of Lionel Messi will find even the most accomplished of sports journalists getting stuck into a thesaurus and, to put it frankly, Argentina would not be in the semi-finals without him.

The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner is intent on filling the one gap in his trophy cabinet with this year’s World Cup – it may be his last chance to do so. His performances in the tournament have perfectly embodied the “fine, I’ll do it myself” attitude that helped build his reputation as the world’s best.

Despite Croatia possessing the talent of a player who is capable of taking on similar responsibility in Luka Modric, the reason the Vatreni have made it to this point is the way the team support their star player.

It is not unfair to say Argentina have been somewhat lacking in this capacity themselves.

They face a team already diagnosed with fatigue by some journalists, having played two lots of 120 minutes en route.

However, England fans know that to write Croatia off on these grounds is a dangerous game.

The Croatian’s imperious penalty record will also keep Messi & co. motivated to get it all wrapped up within the 90.

For Argentina, Marcos Acuña and Gonzalo Montiel will be suspended for this fixture, but they will consider themselves fortunate to not have more absentees given the nature of their quarter-final rumble.

Croatia have no new absentees, but may continue to be without Borna Barisic and Josip Stanisic.