Argentina vs Croatia: prediction for the 2022 FIFA World Cup match

Argentina was touted as comfortable favorite of its group, but faced an unexpected setback, losing 1:2 to Saudi Arabia. However, after that defeat, Lionel Scaloni's men earned two successive 2:0 victories over Mexico and Poland. 

In the round of 16 Argentina faced Australia and salvaged a 2:1 victory, letting the opponent to score only in final minutes of the game. Quarter-final match against the Netherlands went by the same scenario - Albiceleste scored two goals, but let the opponent to come back into the game. 120 minutes of play finished with a 2:2 score and Argentina managed to beat the Oranges only in penalty shoot-out. 

Croatia national team was considered a strong play-off contender, but earned only one victory in the group stage. In the second match the Chequered ones conceded first, but managed to come back into the game, scored three goals and cruised to a victory over Canada. Croatia had goalless draws in matches against Belgium and Morocco. 

Croatia got drawn to Japan in the round of 16, not the toughest opponent to play against. But Zlatko Dalic's team barely salvaged a draw in the regular time, beating the Japanese side on penalties. In the quarter-final Croatia made a huge sensation. Team saved a goalless draw in the regular time of the match against Brazil. The Chequered ones conceded first in extra-time, but managed to score an equalizer and then beat the Selecao on penalties.