The soccer World Cup culminates this week. Are Argentina, Croatia, France or Morocco the champions? In this story, Urheilu goes through the setups for the exciting semi-finals.
There are only four countries left in the World Cup. The correct betting lines are probably few and far between around the world, because few people expect Croatia and Morocco to play in the semi-finals.
– Now no one can make the mistake that the most persistent teams of the Games, i.e. Croatia and Morocco, would be flagged out at this point. Both are to some extent cinderella stories, Urheilu’s expert Jonne Kunnas says.
Instead, Argentina and France are expected semi-final teams. Urheilu went over the semi-final setups with Kunnas.
Argentina – Croatia
TV2 & Areena on Tuesday at 9 p.m. The studio broadcast starts at 8:05 p.m.
Croatia already played in the finals in the previous Games. Just like four years ago, the way to the top four has been opened up through two penalty shootouts.
– Croatia in the semi-finals is of course not such a big surprise in terms of its history and previous games, but a surprise for these games, says Kunnas.
Croatia has not particularly excelled in Qatar and was on the verge of being knocked out already in the initial group stage. However, Belgium squandered scoring opportunities in the final game and a goalless draw was enough for Croatia. Against Argentina, Kunnas believes that Croatia will rely on familiar medicines.
– It will be a really interesting match. Croatia defends tightly from deep, tries to attack and thereby create scoring chances. They have stayed with pretty low power in previous matches, and still pushed themselves to continue, Kunnas states.
Argentina’s tournament started disastrously with a loss to Saudi Arabia, and the second preliminary group game against Mexico didn’t even raise cheers despite the victory. Since then, the game has fallen into place. Argentina has been able to finish spectacular goals, of course Lionel Messi’s under.
– The structure of playing on the ball is already based on the fact that Argentina is able to create more goal chances, says Kunnas.
The head coach Lionel Scaloni shuffled the pack in the quarterfinals and marched onto the field with a line of five defenders, unlike previous matches.
– The line of five was a specific match plan specifically to break the Dutch press. “Croatia defends in such a different way that I believe Argentina will return to the line of four,” says Kunnas.
France – Morocco
MTV will show the match on Wednesday at 21. The highlights of the match can be seen immediately on ‘s digital services. The recording of the match comes to Areena after midnight.
The meeting between France and Morocco is also exceptionally big off the playing field, as Morocco is a former French colony. Especially in Paris, the large community of Moroccans has visibly celebrated previous victories, and unrest is feared (you switch to another service).
– France is a huge early favorite. The team has been convincing since the first preliminary group match. They are able to create a lot of chances and finish effectively. No one has been able to stop them sufficiently yet.
Morocco has only conceded one goal in the tournament, and that was from their own player.
– Morocco’s defense is fantastic. They have a really tight shape and they attack sharp. The team is really well organized, Kunnas praises.
The picture of the game will probably be different for France compared to the previous one, as Kunnas expects the team to keep possession of the ball more than in previous matches.
Kylian Mbappe was completely unstoppable before the quarter-finals, but England showed that it is possible to stop him. France found a way to continue despite that, but Mbappe will play a key role again in the semi-final.
– Morocco defends tightly in a lower block than England. Mbappe will be closer to the box and more on the ball. The key is how wing players Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele can be doubled and held with fewer balls. How will Mbappe and Dembele manage to take passes against the Moroccan block?
Morocco has already knocked out Spain and Portugal. Knocking off France and becoming the first African team to reach the final would undoubtedly be the biggest surprise in World Cup history.