Trollheart

D'oh! Got my days mixed up! Thought this was being played today...

Day 25

Today (yes, yes! Yesterday, all right!) saw the first of the two semi-finals, as the last four teams in the World Cup came head to head over two days to try to reach the all-important final, and a chance at hoisting that famous trophy. Both Modric and Messi would be up for it, both hunting their first World Cup medal, Modric’s Croatia having come closest in 2018, when they were just beaten by France. At age 37, this would more than likely be Modric’s last chance to be on the winning team, and time is marching on for Argentina’s star too. A lot to play for, apart from national pride, history and in the case of one of the teams anyway, a little revenge perhaps, especially if they should beat Argentina and France got past Morocco, to set up a rematch of the 2018 final.

Argentina v Croatia (Score: 3-0; Argentina into the final)

You probably couldn’t use the term “fading glory” to describe Argentina, but their last win had been in 1986, almost forty years ago now, which means that the last time they hoisted the cup neither one of the star players had not been born and the other was in his crib. By that yardstick, Croatia were closer to glory, having just missed out four years ago on the title, but you could be sure both teams would be eager to prove their worth, and go through to face either European powerhouse France or newcomers but dark horse Africans Morocco, and both must have fancied their chances in the final.

Argentina had the first attack in the first minute but it went nowhere, the game turning a little cagey as we reached the 12th, then Messi went down on the edge of the penalty area, but the ref was not interested. Corner for Croatia in the 15th minute but sailed out of play, another attack by Argentina on 24 but still nothing doing. The South Americans kept up the pressure, a long shot saved by the keeper, then a fine attack by the Croatians resulted in a lovely chip that unfortunately not only went over the goalie but also the goal. Back came Argentina and almost scored but it looked like a penalty had been awarded anyway, and so it had, as the game hit the half-hour mark. Messi was never likely to miss was he? Nor did he, and Argentina took the lead.

Undaunted, Croatia took the game to Argentina, but lost it after a terrible wasted corner and Argentina hared up the pitch and took the game by the throat, doubling their lead as Alvarez possibly put the result beyond doubt. Croatia looked broken now as Argentina bossed the match, Croatia hardly able to get a kick as we moved into the last five minutes of the first half. A corner for Argentina in the 41st almost went in, but the keeper pawed it away. It definitely would have been all over had that hit the back of the net. Croatia on the attack in the last minute and had a good shot but missed, Argentina in charge as the half ended.

Second half opened with Croatia on the attack - well, they had to, didn’t they, if they expected or hoped to get anything out of the game - and a free in the second minute went begging as the keeper plucked it out of the air. Down went Argentina, piling on the pressure again, another shot right at the keeper though. Messi had a chance to get their third in the 57th but the keeper had it covered. Another free for Croatia on 62 but again the keeper got it, this time with some difficulty, but like they say, a save is a save. Argentinians dancing through the Croatian defence, keeping possession as time ticked away. On 69 that was it as Alvarez scored a peach of a goal to put Argentina through at 3-0. Beautiful work from Messi made the goal, Alvarez finished it, but it was Messi’s goal in every other way. Stunning.

Another good long shot from the Croatians in the 71st minute but once again saved easily; you definitely got the idea that Croatia realised, or feared, that the game had slipped away from them, and at 3-0 with Argentina comfortable on top, you’d have to say it had already done so. They kept trying, but there was no inventiveness in the team, more hopeful shots than anything else. Even so, it wasn’t so much a big ask as a virtual impossibility that a team who had not scored once in 77 minutes could net three times in the remaining 13 and change left. Argentina just concentrated on keeping their defence tight and pushing Croatia back. Modric getting the ball in his face for his troubles.

Frustration definitely creeping in now as Croatia gave away a free kick, Argentina narrowly missing out adding a fourth to their impressive score, then some last-ditch defending kept out their first goal as Croatia got a corner in the 84th, from which they almost scored, but a swing and a miss, as they say. Croatia surely only playing for pride now as we entered the last two minutes and another long shot was stopped. Five minutes of extra time would not have mattered had it been fifty really, and the day was Argentina’s, through to the final for the first time since 2014.

Tomorrow (okay, okay! Today!) sees the second semi-final, which will determine who faces Argentina for the World Cup.

France v Morocco

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