From shock in Saudi Arabia to stepping into the final: how Argentina and Messi made it
Argentina’s Lionel Messi celebrates with teammates. (AP)
The night Saudi Arabia beat Argentina, manager Lionel Scaloni called for an early dinner.
Usually the players eat in groups, or sometimes alone, but this time Scaloni insisted on “eating together”. The mood at the table was understandably gloomy. No jokes, no banter, just the echo of spoons and knives rattling in the main dining room of Qatar University where they are staying. Hours ago they had an extended meeting about how to focus on the remaining tournament – not a word was said about defeat. And at dinner, Scaloni’s order was not to say a word about their game. (READ MORE)
Argentina vs Croatia: Can the Albiceleste penetrate the ‘best midfield in the world’?
Croatians Luka Modric and Mateo Kovacic are in a defensive wall. (Reuters)
Croatia has no direct scoring opportunities. They don’t have a bold frontline capable of creating something out of nothing, nor a world-class striker. They have not shown exceptional ability to create from wide, nor have they shown any reliability from set pieces.
Yet none of their opponents at this year’s FIFA World Cup found pleasure in playing against them. Not even massive pre-tournament favorites Brazil, who were frustrated in a 1-1 draw and defeated on penalties in the quarter-final. (READ MORE)