Argentina v Croatia match report
The World Cup continues. The first semi-final match begins here. We take a look at the Argentina v Croatia. We will highlight the line-ups, pick out the key moments and standout World Cup Fantasy performances during the match.
Covering the Argentina v Croatia match can be very useful to World Cup Fantasy managers. Highlighting line-ups, key moments and standout fantasy performances can aid decisions regarding future transfers, captaincies and chip strategy.
Line-ups – Argentina
Many managers within the community will be pinning their captaincy hopes on striker Lionel Messi (£10.5m). Midfielder Angel Di Maria (£8.5m) fails to start the match again to the disappointment of those that chanced him in their teams.
Croatia
Defender Borna Sosa (£3.5m) starts the match for the second consecutive time. Midfielder Luka Modric (£8.5m) owners will be hoping he improves his World Cup Fantasy output. Midfielder Ivan Perisic (£7m) also starts the game.
Key moments
- The match gets underway.
- Ivan Perisic plays a dangerous ball into the box but it’s a comfortable catch for goalkeeper Emi Martinez (£5.5m).
- It is an interesting battle in midfield that Croatia seem to be winning so far.
- Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernandez (£5m) hits a long range shot, it’s on target but an easy save for the Croatian goalkeeper.
- Ivan Perisic spots Emi Martinez off his line, tries to dink the ball over him but it flies well over the bar.
- PENALTY! Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic (£5m) clatters into Argentina striker Julian Alvarez (£6.5m) to give away a penalty whilst also picking up a yellow card.
- GOAL! Lionel Messi smashes the ball into the roof of the net from the spot kick. 1-0 Argentina!
- GOAL! Julian Alvarez makes a brilliant solo run through the Croatia backline and forces the ball into the net. 2-0 Argentina!
- CHANCE! Argentina midfielder Alexis Mac Allister (£7m) powers a header from a corner towards goal but Dominik Livakovic denies him with a fantastic save.
- The whistle blows for half time.
Second half
- The second half is underway and there has been a significant change as Borna Sosa gets replaced.
- Julian Alvarez leads a dangerous counterattack which ends up the the Croatian box but his squared ball to Enzo Fernandez is fluffed under his feet.
- CHANCE! A one-two pass between Enzo Fernandez and Lionel Messi’s ends with the latter smashing his shot straight at the goalkeeper.
- Defender Christian Romero (£5m) picks up a yellow card for his foul.
- GOAL! Lionel Messi twists and turns into the Croatia box, creating a pass out of nothing, the pass finds Julian Alvarez who scores his second goal of the game! 3-0 Argentina!
- Nicolas Otamendi (£5m) picks up a yellow card for his foul.
- Ivan Perisic lines up a shot from a free kick but it sails straight at the goalkeeper for a comfortable save.
- Julian Alvarez is replaced.
- Luka Modric is replaced.
- CHANCE! A flick from striker Paulo Dybala (£8m) lands to Alexis Mac Allister who has a fantastic chance to score but hits his shot wide of the post.
- CHANCE! Ivan Perisic nods the ball backwards but his teammates were just short of prodding the goal into the back of the net.
- The match finishes 3-0 to Argentina and they progress to the World Cup final!
Standout World Cup Fantasy performances
- Julian Alvarez was the biggest success as he hit 14 points for his two goals, penalty earned and two shots on target.
- Lionel Messi had another fantastic Matchday as he struck 10 points for scoring, creating as assist and having two shots on target.
- The third most successful performance was by Emi Martinez as he collected seven points for his clean sheet and save point.
@FPLReaction’s (Louis) comments
I actually thought Croatia dominated the first half but their lack of bite up front was their downfall in the end. I was really disappointed with Ivan Perisic overall but still think he’s worth holding onto for the third place play-off match.
Argentina were fantastic on the break and Enzo Fernandez did get into some very advanced and dangerous positions considering his price. Julian Alvarez looks really sharp and he did prior to the game.
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