In the semi-finals of the 2022 World Cup, two weak stories will be staged. Morocco's fine form has seen them become the first African side to reach the knockout stages, while Croatia beat title favorites Brazil against all odds. It's safe to say that the 2022 World Cup has been a wild ride, and I'm sure it will continue until the end. Fasten your seatbelts guys, every stage of the tournament just ups the ante and the intensity of the semi-finals does lead to some violence when the previous rounds have already set the line.

In one corner we had Croatia, who somehow beat the tournament giants despite Brazil having a shot on goal. In the other corner, Argentina lost a 2-0 lead in the final minute of the game but beat an impressive Netherlands on penalties. Argentina would prefer to be here, Croatia not, but that means absolutely nothing to the football gods who are enjoying a surprise this year.

The current winning odds are 50% for Argentina to advance and 28% for a draw leading to extra time - a situation Argentina would like to avoid as Croatia appear to have some magic from 12 yards out. Argentina will certainly want to settle down in regular time, but eight of Croatia's last nine knockout games have gone to extra time - and even with Lionel Messi and his attacking genius, that could be a more difficult task than expected. big task.

Croatia have a strong defense; they can decide to close the hatch and eventually enforce a penalty, and with their goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic in such good form, it looks good for them. Livakovic is the third goalkeeper to save four penalties in a single World Cup shootout. Argentine goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez was certainly not to be outdone, however, in his last game against the Netherlands, he saved two PKs. If it comes to penalties, the magic of Croatia's PK may not be enough.

La Albiceleste has made it through to the final every time they have played in the semis, but only a fool would underestimate Croatia. Strong defense aside, Croatia is not a team that goes quietly into that good night, and with center midfielder Luka Modrić, they might have a shot at slowing down Argentina’s number 10 – key word, “might.”

In order to make it through to the next round, Croatia would have to take down the second of two South American giants, the first team since 2014 Germany to do so – personally, I don’t think that is going to happen. I think Croatia has run out of miracles, and Argentina already got their shocking upset out of the way with Saudi Arabia. With the upset behind them and such a close game against the Netherlands, the Argentinians are taking nothing for granted. On top of that, Messi is in his villain arc right now, and I don’t mean that in a negative way. He has been vying to win this trophy for his country his entire career and with his last shot at it, there is nothing that will shake his focus and determination. We’ve all seen what that man is capable of, there is no need to elaborate.

I think it will be a closer game than comfortable for the Argentina fans, possibly even a game taken to extra time, but they will pull through in the end with a final score of 2-1.