Argentina vs Croatia Prediction, Odds and Betting Tips – 2022 World Cup: Who Will Win?

💯 Argentina vs Croatia Betting Odds

There are numerous Argentina vs Croatia betting markets in play, including match betting, both sides to score and the over/under market for total goals scored in the game. We’ll outline these in a little more detail below, so that you can hopefully make more informed betting decisions and make the most of your bankroll.

🏅 Argentina vs Croatia Odds: Match Winner

Backing the match winner is the most popular wager type among our recommended betting sites. Here’s a breakdown of the very latest ante post Argentina vs Croatia odds!

Argentina to Win	1.93	1.88	1.85	1.83	1.80	1.87	1.85
Croatia to Win	4.43	4.50	5.10	4.75	4.50	4.50	4.75
Draw	3.38	3.10	3.30	3.30	3.20	3.20	3.20

⚽ Argentina vs Croatia Odds: Both Teams to Score

You can also wager on both sides to score (or not) during the Argentina vs Croatia clash. This is a very popular market, especially during the knockout stages where each participating side is evenly matched.

Yes	2.23	2.07	2.33	2.10	2.05	2.10	2.10
No	1.66	1.64	1.60	1.67	1.70	1.67	1.67

🥅 Argentina vs Croatia Odds: Over/Under 2.5 Goals

The most popular over/under market is set at a threshold of 2.5 goals, and you’ll need to wager whether the total number of goals scored in the game will be higher or lower. So far, the tournament has seen 154 goals scored in 58 matches at a rate of 2.66 per game, although it should be noted that contests typically become tighter as the knockout stage progresses.

Over 2.5 Goals	2.50	2.41	2.55	2.38	2.45	2.38	2.38
Under 2.5 Goals	1.56	1.48	1.53	1.53	1.53	1.53	1.53

🏠 Argentina Preview

Despite rarely playing to their full potential in Qatar, Argentina have managed to reach the World Cup semi-finals, while also becoming the outright favourites to win the tournament at an average price of 2.88.

This represents an incredible turnaround when you consider the country’s start to the tournament, with Saudi Arabia beating them 2-1 to kick-start Group C and deliver one of the biggest ever World Cup shocks. They were then frustrated for over an hour by a resolute and compact Mexico side, before a sublime Lionel Messi touch and finish and put Argentina on their way to a crucial 2-0 win.

A toothless Poland side was then dispatched 2-0 as Argentina secured top spot in the group, and while Australia provided a stiff test in the round of 16, another superb Messi goal and bundled finish from Julian Alvarez earned La Albiceleste a quarterfinal berth.

Then came a dramatic and nerve-jangling clash with the Dutch, with yielded 17 yellow cards, one red and saw Argentina surge into a 2-0 lead. While the Netherlands came back with two late Wout Weghorst goals in the final seven minutes of normal time, the match eventually went to penalties, with two superb Emiliano Martínez saves ensuring a 4-3 win for his team!

📰 Latest Argentina World Cup News

☍ Croatia Preview

Unlike their semi-final opponent, Croatia are unbeaten at the 2022 World Cup, although it’s incredible to think that they’ve won only one of the five matches they’ve contested so far within 90 minutes.

An energetic and tireless Morocco side certainly made Croatia look jaded in their opening Group E match, with this contest ending in a goalless draw. However, the Croats then flexed their attacking muscles for the first time during a 4-1 thrashing of minnows Canada, before an experienced and disciplined display secured another 0-0 draw against Belgium and earned the nation second place in the group.

Surprise Group F winners Japan were next in the round of 16, and while the AFC nation also troubled Croatia with their pace and movement (they even took a lead through Celtic forward Daizen Maeda). However, Ivan Perisic equalised with his 10th tournament finals’ goal, with the match ultimately decided when Croatia held their nerve to win a penalty shootout 3-1.

However, Croatia were undeniably the underdogs in their quarterfinal against favourites Brazil, and while they took the Seleção into extra-time after a goalless 90 minutes, a brilliant goal by Neymar looked to have ended their journey in the tournament.

However, a deflected strike by Bruno Petkovic in the 116th minted secured another penalty shootout, and the Croats once again held their nerve to score all of their spot kicks and prevail 4-2 overall.

📰 Latest Croatia World Cup News

🟨 The Latest Injury News and Suspensions

Argentina surprised everyone against the Dutch by reverting to a back three and de facto 3-5-2 formation, with Lisandro Martinez drafted into the side and Angel Di Maria starting from the bench.

It’s thought that they’ll transition back to a 4-3-3 system against Croatia, however, especially as left wing back Marcos Acuna is suspended after collecting a second booking of the tournament during the fiery quarterfinal clash.

Nicolás Tagliafico expected to return in place of Acuna, while Di Maria or Papu Gomez could replace Lisandro Martinez or Christian Romero in a more attacking line-up. Reserve right back Gonzalo Montiel is also suspended after being booked last time out, but otherwise Argentina will be at full strength.

As for Croatia, they have no new injuries or suspensions to report ahead of the semi-final, with Borna Sosa now fully recovered from illness having returned to the side against Brazil.

Goalscoring hero Bruno Petkovic could also come back into Croatia’s starting 11 after his rescue act from the bench against Brazil, with Mario Pašalić expected to make way while Andrej Kramarić reverts to his role on the right of a front three.

Luka Modric is also expected to be fully fit and able to start despite the final’s hectic schedule and his advanced age, while his midfield teammate Mateo Kovacic appears to have shaken off the foot complaint that plagued him prior to the knockout stages.

🏆 Key Matchups

Games of this type are usually tight and incredibly keenly contested, while individual duals can play a key role in deciding their outcome.

We’ll explore some of the key individual battles in the clash between Argentina and Croatia below, while asking how they’re likely to impact the game.

Lionel Messi vs Marcelo Brozović

We’ll start with a potentially key midfield battle, which will see the roaming and influential Lionel Messi come into regular contact with Croatia’s experienced 30-year-old defensive midfielder Marcelo Brozovic.

Messi has been in sparkling form throughout the tournament, providing four goals and two assists on five matches while creating 14 chances for his teammates (at a rate of 2.80 per match). He has also delivered in clutch moments, scoring crucially to break down the massed ranks of the Mexican and Australian defences.

He also likes to drift into the pockets of space between midfield and attack, often from the right-hand channel, and it will Brozovic’s role as the deepest Croatian midfielder to get tight on Messi when he moves into the centre of the pitch.

He’ll also need help from his teammates, and Chelsea’s Kovacic will also deploy his athleticism and strength to close Messi down where he can.

Nicolás Tagliafico vs Andrej Kramarić

Kramaric started centrally against Brazil, having spent much of the tournament playing on the right-side of a three-man attack.

However, the anticipated return of striker Petkovic could see Kramaric return to his usual starting position against Argentina, which would put him in direct opposition to left back Nicolás Tagliafico if he replaces the suspended Acuna.

Of course, Tagliafico is mobile and more than matching Kramaric for pace, but he may find it harder to deal with the forward’s aerial strength when Croatia attack from the left-hand side.

Another key question will be how effective Kramaric is when tracking Tagliafico when he bombs forward, with the Ajax full back known for his attacking quality and desire to drive his opponent back towards their own goal.

Julian Alvarez vs Dejan Lovren

The 20-year-old Joško Gvardiol is a genuine Rolls Royce of a centre back, and one who’s pace, anticipation and athleticism provides the perfect foil for his experienced partner Dejan Lovren.

However, while the 33-year-old Lovren may be incredibly experienced and boast 76 international caps, he lacks a little in pace and mobility, and Argentine striker Julian Alvarez will undoubtedly look to exploit this in the semi-final.

Alvarez has played well since replacing Lautaro Martinez, scoring twice against Poland and Australia while offering constant movement and aggressive pressing throughout.

Ultimately, Croatia will want to remain compact when defending and avoid Lovren being isolated by Alvarez, especially given Messi’s vision and passing range. However, if Lovren is isolated, he’ll need all of his experience and maybe some of the dark arts to help repel the 23-year-old striker.

⚡ Argentina vs Croatia – The Head-to-Head Statistics

After securing independence as a nation in the early 1990s, Croatia wasn’t re-admitted to FIFA until July 3rd, 1992, so it should come as no surprise that they’ve only played Argentina five times in their history.

The first of these was an international friendly that ended in a 0-0 draw, before the two sides were drawn in Group H of the 1998 World Cup in France. Argentina won 1-0 at the Parc De Lescure on June 26th, although it was Croatia who ultimately advanced to the semi-finals at their first major WC finals.

The two sides then exchanged friendly wins in March 2006 and November 2014, before they met again in the 2018 World Cup finals in Russia.

This group stage contest was the two sides’ last outing and resulted in a comprehensive 3-0 win for Croatia, who fielded current stars Luka Modric, Marcelo Brozovic and Ivan Perisic in their starting 11. Once again, Croatia also outperformed their more illustrious rivals by reaching the final, and they’ll be hoping that history can repeat itself in Qatar.

🥇 Argentina vs Croatia Prediction - Who Will Win?

While Argentina remain the clear betting favourites to prevail in Lusail and win the 2022 World Cup, it should be noted that their doughty opponents Croatia have already eliminated the world’s top two ranked teams (Brazil and Belgium) on their way to the semi-finals.

They’re also incredibly well-organised and efficient in the attacking third, so Argentina will need to leverage all of their individual quality if they’re to win here.

However, Argentina have been similarly resilient in Qatar, often winning games and grinding out result while being far from their best. They also have the brilliant Messi, who may be playing in his final World Cup finals and seems determined to win the tournament for the first ever time.

So, we’re anticipating more Messi magic here and a narrow Argentina win, most likely in extra-time but potentially through another penalty shootout.

Our Argentina vs Croatia match prediction: Argentina to win 2-1.

🔍 Our Argentina vs Croatia Betting Tips?

There’s scarcely any value to be found in backing Argentina to win at 1.93, while we wouldn’t recommend using handicap betting due to the evenly matched nature of both sides.

Of course, you can put a small, outside wager on Croatia winning at price of 4.43 with TonyBet Sports, but in most cases this will only be valid for the duration of the 90 minutes (Croatia have won just one of their five finals’ matches during this period).

Instead, consider backing both sides to score at 2.33 with LeoVegas Sports, as there’s more than enough attacking quality on show to trouble each defensive line (particularly if there’s an early goal).

Those football betting enthusiasts may also want to wager on there being over 2.5 goals scored in the game, with this outcome available at a market leading price of 2.55 with LeoVegas Sports.

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✒️ Lewis Humphries - Sports Journalist, Tipster and Betting Expert

This Argentina vs Croatia 2022 WC Prediction was written by Lewis Humphries. Lewis is a business and iGaming copywriter from the UK, who has a passion for sports betting and online casino gaming. He's reviewed some of the world's leading casino platforms, while creating blog posts and landing page content for various sports betting brands.

His content has also featured on a number of different sites, including Life Hack, Investopedia, Yahoo Finance and Business Insider. He also pens regular sports features for sites including 90 Minutes, Think Football Ideas and Sportsblog.