Croatia looking for 2018 repeat

It’s been four years since Argentina and Croatia met in a memorable game that may give the Croatians confidence to reach the World Cup final once again.

Argentina have made a habit of making life difficult for themselves during the group stages. Famously, 
la Albiceleste were stunned by Saudi Arabia this season in what will no doubt be one of the World Cup underdog moments people revisit time and time again.

But at the last tournament things were even more perilous for Argentina thanks to this evening’s semi-final opponents, Croatia. 

In 2018, Argentina began their Group D campaign with a surprising 1-1 draw with Iceland after Sergio Agüero’s opener was cancelled out by Alfred Finnbogason. Meanwhile, Croatia defeated Nigeria 2-0.

That put the pressure on the team managed by current Sevilla boss, Jorge Sampaoli, going into the second group game against Croatia.

Argentina had chances to score early but Willy Caballero gifted Ante Rebić a golden opportunity to open the scoring which the forward took brilliantly. 

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To make matters worse for Argentina, Ivan Rakitić made it 3-0 in stoppage time as Croatia went on to win all three of their group games.

"I would beg fans for their forgiveness,” Sampaoli said after the game. “I am responsible."

He would have really had to get on his hands and knees for forgiveness had they gone out. And Argentina were very close to eliminating in their final game against Nigeria with the two sides level at 1-1. That result would have seen the Super Eagles finish second in the group behind Croatia and Argentina crash out in humiliating fashion.

Fortunately for the South Americans, in the 86th minute, Gabriel Mercado cross from the right and the only person in the box was then-Manchester United defender Marcos Rojo, who swung a right leg at the ball that nestled into the corner.

Rojo guaranteed Argentina’s progression through to the next round but that game against Croatia was key.

Croatia finished as group leaders and were afforded a far easier route to what, as no one predicted at the time, would be a World Cup final appearance. The Croatians went past Denmark and hosts Russia (both by courtesy of penalties) before eliminating England in the semi-finals with an extra-time winner. 

Meanwhile, Argentina couldn’t have had far more difficult opponents, facing eventual winners, France. Kylian Mbappé scored twice in a thrilling 4-3 encounter. 

Of course, the French went on from there to defeat Croatia in the final. Could Croatia get revenge for 2018 by defeating Argentina once again?