Qatar 2022 is one step away from choosing its finalists as sparks are bound to fly at the thrilling semi-finals which will take place today and tomorrow.
It will be Lionel Messi’s final opportunity to match his country’s greatest footballer Diego Maradona with a title win at FIFA World Cup while the defending champions France, Russia 2018 runner-up Croatia and Arab giants Morocco looking to create history in Qatar.
Argentina face Croatia in the first semi-final today before the 2018 champions France take on high-flying Morocco tomorrow in search of spots in the blockbuster final which is set to take place on December 18, Qatar’s National Day.
At the magnificent Lusail Stadium, Messi and Argentina will seek a place in the World Cup final for the second time in eight years.
Argentina were shocked by a gutsy Saudi Arabia early in the Group Stage, but the Lionel Scaloni-coached men have made an impressive comeback since then and conceded just three goals in four matches to make it to the last four for the sixth time.
Argentina have won the title twice, in 1978 and 1986, and have been runners-up on three occasions.
Messi scored his 10th World Cup goal and assisted in another one during the match against Netherlands in a tense quarter-final to surpass Maradona.
However, he lacks one big achievement than the departed legend in his career - a glittering World Cup trophy.
He can get a step closer to one if he can guide Argentina to victory today, but eliminating Croatia will not be easy.
Croatia step into the semis with a perfect record in penalty shootouts, having prevailed in all four they have contested so far, so Argentina will be keen to wrap up things in regulation time or extra time without having to try their fortunes against the hero goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic.
If they can disappoint Argentina today, Croatia will become the first back-to-back finalists since Brazil in 2002.
The two teams have met twice in their previous World Cup meetings with each team winning on one occasion and their overall head-to-head is also evenly balanced, having played each other five times, earning two wins each and a draw.
Meanwhile, holders France will be hot favourites to beat Morocco in tomorrow’s marquee clash, but Didier Deschamps’ side will be looking to play it safe against the Qatar 2022 giant-killers at Al Bayt Stadium.
France are the first reigning champions to reach the World Cup semi-finals since Brazil in 1998 and will be looking to become the first back-to-back finalists since Brazil in 2002.
The two teams have met five times before. First in 1988, when France won 2-1, but their history goes back further. They have never lost an official match against Morocco. The most recent clash was a 2-2 draw in Paris in 2007.
On the other hand, Morocco, who thrashed Cristiano Ronaldo’s hopes of a title win in what was most likely his last World Cup appearance by defeating Portugal in the quarter-final, will look to extend their dream run with a win over France today.
From underdogs to semi-finalists, Morocco have come a long way in Qatar with historic performances against top teams, slaying No.2-ranked Belgium and 2010 champions Spain before eliminating Portugal.
Morocco have yet to concede a goal from an opposition player at the tournament. The only goal against them in four games came in their 2-1 win over Canada.
France may have the firepower to face Morocco, but they will also have to face the pressure of having to play in front of Morocco’s ‘12th player’- thousands of supporters in Qatar who will paint Al Bayt stadium in red tomorrow.
The demand for the blockbuster clash has been so great that Royal Air Maroc had announced it is operating 30 extra return flights to take fans to Qatar and back as all ingredients for a mouthwatering clash is set for tomorrow.
Will the favorites Argentina prevail over Croatia? Or will the Atlas Lions go one more step further after creating history by becoming the first Arab and African team to make the last four? Will Deschamp’s men become the first team since Brazil in 1962 to successfully defend their World Cup title? Or will it be deja vu for Croatia? The world will come to know by tomorrow midnight.