who takes? Argentina and Croatia use penalty kicks excellently in the World Cup – Soccer

Argentina and Croatia are preparing for a great semi-final duel world Cup🇧🇷 Given the characteristics of both teams, a balanced game can be imagined, although Albiceleste’s team tends to be more attacking. However, the two teams share a strong point: penalty shootouts. Although the South Americans are almost perfect in the World Cup finals, the Croatians have achieved 100% success since 2018.

Argentines are on the rise

Argentina have won five of the six penalty shootouts they have faced in World Cup finals, totaling over 80%. The first of these was against Yugoslavia, which later split and gave rise to the Croatia we know today. At that time, the two teams tied 0-0, and the Argentine national team won 3-2 on penalties, although Maradona missed his kick.

In addition to the aforementioned duel, the Argentine national team defeated Italy in 1990 as well, England in 1998 and the Netherlands in 2014 and in this edition of the World Cup. The only defeat for the Albiceleste was in 2006, when the team led by Jose Pekerman ended up being eliminated by Germany, with a score of 4 to 2. Amy Martinez, for example, stopped Clockwork Orange in a dispute last Friday.

Undefeated Croats

Since the collapse of Yugoslavia, Croatia has played six World Cups. In 1998, the first of this period, it was close to third place and almost reached the final, after losing in the semi-finals to France 2-1, when it was winning 1-0. The Croatian team started a remarkable series in disputes for maximum penalties.

In 2018, the team led by Modric and Rakitic faced two matches with the lime brand and won both. In the Round of 16, Croatia beat Denmark 3 to 2, after a 1 to 1 tie in regular time, and in the quarter-finals, it beat host Russia, 4 to 3, after a new draw, this time 2 to 2. The Croats defeated England in semi-final and ended up as runner-up due to defeat against France.

Interestingly, in this edition, Croatia also played for a place in the quarter-finals and semi-finals under the tag of whitewashing, once again winning both. The team, led by Zlatko Dalic, beat Japan in the Round of 16 3-1 and left Brazil on their way after a heroic extra-time equaliser. All this to reach the top four and face Argentina’s Lionel Messi.

The two teams face each other on Tuesday, 4pm (Brasilia time), at Lusail Stadium. Anticipation is full house, as the Argentines take Doha to themselves in this period of the World Cup. Whoever wins will face the winner from France and Morocco in the Grand Final.

Man to man: See our comparison of the starting 11 for Argentina and Croatia