There were 18 yellow cards produced during Argentina’s comical set-to with the Netherlands last weekend. That’s a record for a World Cup match, and as such, the game has been described in some quarters as the “dirtiest ever”. Well, you can see the logic, but no. May we refer you to Hungary v Brazil in 1954, as entertainingly described in this brilliant Joy of Six.
The national anthems.
As Vanesa Valenti of La Nacion wrote in our pre-tournament guide to Argentina …
The Himno Nacional Argentino was written by the clearly multi-talented politician Vicente L?pez y Planes and the music composed by Blas Parera and approved by the general constituent assembly in 1813. Initially it included a strong anti-Spanish sentiment, which was taken out in 1924. It starts “Hear, mortals, the sacred cry: ‘Freedom! Freedom! Freedom!’ Hear the sound of broken chains. See noble equality enthroned.” But because of the anthem’s length often at sporting events only the instrumental intro is played.
As Aleksandar Holiga of Telesport wrote in our pre-tournament guide to Croatia …
Originally a mid-19th-century poem by diplomat turned poet Antun Mihanovic, and composed by Josip Runjanin, at the time a young military cadet who also dabbled in music. It gained wider popularity in the 20th century and four of the original 14 verses were adapted into the national anthem titled Lijepa Nasa Domovino (Our Beautiful Homeland). The lyrics contain no war cries and nor does the anthem they address God; it can be summarised as “Our land is so nice and we love it.” Since 1991 some politicians and all athletes have been singing it with their right hand on their hearts.
Books of condolence have been set up at the stadium for the three journalists who have passed away while covering this World Cup: ITV technical director Roger Pearce, Qatari photojournalist Khalid al-Misslam and US sportswriter Grant Wahl. Condolences to the family and friends of all.
Argentina are strong favourites with the bookies this evening. Messi et al are priced at evens, while you can get fours on Croatia. Those prices surely reflect more on Argentina having the greater number of fans lumping on – they’ll certainly have the bigger backing in Lusail tonight – than any major disparity in quality. Easy to forget that these two countries met at the last World Cup, in Nizhny Novgorod, where Modri? stood out in a 3-0 romp for Croatia. Actually, having thought twice, it’s probably not been that easy for Argentina to forget, has it.
Argentina make two changes to the XI named for the quarter-final win over the Netherlands. Nicolas Tagliafico and Leandro Paredes come in for Lisandro Martinez and the suspended Marcos Acu?a.
Croatia boss Zlatko Dali? is in If It Ain’t Broke mode. He names an unchanged side in the wake of the quarter-final victory over Brazil.
Argentina: Damian Martinez, Molina, Romero, Otamendi, Tagliafico, De Paul, Paredes, Fernandez, Mac Allister, Messi, Alvarez.Subs: Armani, Foyth, Pezzella, Di Maria, Rulli, Palacios, Correa, Almada, Rodriguez, Dybala, Lautaro Martinez, Lisandro Martinez.
Croatia: Livakovic, Juranovic, Lovren, Gvardiol, Sosa, Modric, Brozovic, Kovacic, Pasalic, Kramaric, Perisic.Subs: Stanisic, Barisic, Erlic, Majer, Grbic, Vlasic, Livaja, Petkovic, Budimir, Orsic, Vida, Ivusic, Sutalo, Sucic, Jakic.
Referee: Daniele Orsato (Italy).
Another fascinating edition of PENNANT WATCH. Look at these two beauties, commensurate with a place in the final four. You’d have to go some to cock up either of these gorgeous colour schemes, and although some federations would surely manage to do so – the FA, for example, whose pennant designer hit print while midway through a yawn – both the AFA or HNS have delivered a quality product off the pitch as well as on.
PRIMATE PREDICTION CORNER with Kent the Zagreb Zoo gibbon. Kent’s got all of his predictions correct to date, and this afternoon the simian seer favoured the food box with the Croatian flag on it. Again. Some observers may question the sporting and political neutrality of this exercise, or quibble with the methodology and sample size, but we’re just presenting events as they happen, without comment or spin. So congratulations to Croatia for making it through to the final!
A living legend will run out of road tonight. Lionel Messi wants to put those GOAT arguments to bed by single-handedly dragging Argentina, Maradona-style, to the top of the world. Luka Modri?, one of only two players to break the Messi-Ronaldo Ballon d’Or duopoly of the last 14 years, dreams of another masterclass in overachievement with four-million-strong Croatia. Both of their teams are more than capable of winning this World Cup; both are far from perfect; only one can make it to the final. Good luck calling it, but this much we do know: in a few hours, one of our 35 and 37-year-old superheroes will be smacked flush in the face with the realisation that their World Cup dream will almost certainly remain unfulfilled for eternity. Tears before bedtime are nailed on, then. It’s a promise, a certainty, a cast-iron Guardian guarantee. Kick off is at 7pm GMT, 10pm at the Lusail Iconic Stadium. ????! It’s on!
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