World Cup tips: Messi moves closer as Morocco continue the fairytale | OneFootball

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Padraig Whelan·12 December 2022

World Cup tips: Messi moves closer as Morocco continue the fairytale

Article image:World Cup tips: Messi moves closer as Morocco continue the fairytale

We are now down to the final four in Qatar as the World Cup final for 2022 is set to be decided. This is what to look out for.


Argentina on edge of glory

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Argentina are now 90 minutes away (or given that they’re playing Croatia, perhaps more) from their first World Cup final since 2014.


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And with that lies Lionel Messi’s chance to add the most prestigious honour in the game to a roll of honour that makes him the greatest in the game in the eyes of many.

To do so, they will have to get past a Croatia side who accounted for their old rivals Brazil last time out with something of a smash-and-grab performance which should be enough to warn Argentina that they cannot be underestimated.

Zlatko Dalić’s side haven’t been dominant but they have been ruthless when their opportunities present themselves and are truly the iron men of international football, having now gone to extra-time in five of their last six World Cup games.

These nations did meet in the group stage four years ago when Croatia thrashed the Albiceleste 3-0 before going on to reach the final and if they repeat that feat, they will become the fourth European nation to reach back-to-back finals.

Sides from that continent have caused plenty of problems for Argentina of late, having won just one of their last seven meetings with European teams in this competition.

On the betting front, Croatia have scored in every single knockout game they’ve played at the WorldCup and have also conceded at. least once in each of their last eight so both teams to score simply has to be the one here at 2.1.

However, if you think their incredible penalties record will continue (they’ve never lost on that format here) then they are available at 10.0 to win in a shootout.

Article image:World Cup tips: Messi moves closer as Morocco continue the fairytale

Can Morocco’s magic run go on?

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Morocco’s incredible fairytale run in this year’s World Cup means they are on the brink of being the biggest surprise finalists in the tournament’s history.

Prior to it kicking off, the team ranked 22nd in the world were priced at 251.0 to lift the trophy but their impeccable organisation and resiliency combined with serious quality in key areas means they are deserving semi-finalists.

And they will trouble the reigning champions as they aim to deny them becoming the first team since Brazil in 1962 to successfully defend their crown.

To do that, Les Bleus will have to find a way of breaking Morocco down. That is something that Croatia, Belgium, Spain (even in a penalty shootout) and Portugal have all failed to do – with the only goal they have conceded so far being a deflected own goal against Canada.

Beyond the obvious numbers, they have also made more clearances (137) and more tackles (104) than any other side in the competition, while just 20% of the shots they have given up have been on target.

But France have never lost to the first ever African side to reach the World Cup semi-finals, having won three and drawn two of their previous five fixtures, meaning something has got to give from this one.

Given how tense these bigger games at the business end of tournaments can tend to be and how iron-clad Morocco have been, we’re going with under 2.5 goals in this one which is 1.67.