Lionel Messi has impressed Argentina to the World Cup semi-finals, and the ahead as soon as once more takes centre stage tonight in opposition to Croatia.
The 35-year-old begins alongside Julian Alvarez, who has been picked forward of Lautaro Martinez regardless of the striker scoring the profitable penalty in opposition to Holland final week.
Angel Di Maria was match sufficient just for the bench in Argentina’s quarter-final win, and regardless of a powerful cameo in opposition to Holland the 34-year-old stays on the bench, with Leandro Paredes beginning as a substitute.
Lionel Messi will look to encourage Argentina to the World Cup closing as he begins in opposition to Croatia
The South American outfit switched to a again three in opposition to Holland, with Manchester United’s Lisandro Martinez becoming a member of Cristian Romero and Nicolas Otamendi in defence.
They’ve reverted to a again 4 tonight, nonetheless, with Martinez dropping out.
In the meantime, Marcos Acuna is suspended having picked up his second yellow card of the match in Argentina’s win over Croatia, with Nicolas Tagliafico subsequently beginning at left-back from the off.
Proper-back Gonzalo Montiel can also be suspended, however Nahuel Molina is the primary alternative regardless and is as anticipated within the beginning lineup.
Confirmed Argentina XI: Martinez, Molina, Romero, Otamendi, Tagliafico, Paredes, Enzo Fernandez, De Paul, Mac Allister, Messi, Alvarez
Leandro Paredes (proper) has been picked forward of Angel Di Maria for tonight’s semi-final
Croatia boss Zlatko Dalic will once more flip to his star names Luka Modric (L) and Ivan Perisic (R)
As for Croatia, Zlatko Dalic is predicted to as soon as once more flip to his star names Luka Modric, Ivan Perisic and Mateo Kovacic for the conflict.
Inter Milan midfielder Marcelo Brozovic, who has loved a fantastic match, breaking his personal World Cup document of essentially the most distance coated by a participant of their last-16 win Japan, can also be anticipated to stay within the facet.
Brozovic coated an astonishing 16.7km over the 120 minutes – greater than 10 miles – earlier than additionally scoring his penalty.
Argentina and Croatia are battling for a spot in Sunday’s closing, the place they are going to meet both France or Morocco, who sq. off tomorrow evening.
The loser of tonight’s conflict will as a substitute play in Saturday’s third-place play-off, which begins at 3pm GMT.
