JAKARTA - The Croatian national team will face Argentina in the semifinals of the Qatar 2022 World Cup. Luka Modrid called on his teammates to play the "best game in life" for the defeat of Lionel Messi's Argentina.
The 2018 World Cup runners-up reached the semifinals after beating the favorite champion, Brazil, in a dramatic penalty shootout.
Vetrani's hopes of reaching the final may depend on their ability to kill Messi's movement, who has recorded six goals in the World Cup for Albiceleste.
"I have a desire to play, but not just play against one player," Modric said in an interview with RTVE, as quoted by Live Score, Monday, December 12.
"Of course, Messi is an amazing player, we will face big problems to stop him, but we are ready and we will do our best."
"Argentina is a big team. We will try to play the best game in this tournament, the best match of our lives. I hope it is enough to enter the final," he continued.
Not many predict Croatia will repeat its success in 2018 in Qatar. Modric admits he has no problem with that one-on-one view.
"It's natural that everyone sees big countries. Considering we're small, no one relies on us," said the Real Madrid player.
"But we don't mind that the others are favorites and we are in the shadow. We can only do our best, try our best, and that's our strength."
"Before I went to the World Cup, we talked a lot in the dressing room [Madrid], where I told them: 'Be careful with Croatia'" added the former Tottenham Hotspur player.
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