Qatar 2022 : When Push Comes To Shove

Three weeks, and 28 teams are gone! Enter the final week with the last four remaining teams of the 2022 FIFA World Cup. The tournament begins taking its last bend today and tomorrow with box office semi-finals matches on show. After the two-day break from crazy quarterfinals matches last weekend, it is time to recycle and go again on the way to Sunday’s final. 
The Lusail Iconic Stadium has witnessed some of the greatest games of this tournament so far and is about to host another epic match between Croatia and Argentina for the first semi-finals later tonight at 10pm local time (8pm, Cameroon time). The venue certainly reminds Argentina of their quarterfinals victory over the Netherlands where they had to go through the emotions to sail through on penalties. That game would have taught the ‘Albiceleste’ the need to keep focus and concentration in every game if they want to go all the way through and win the trophy.
Croatia, another tricky opponent stands on their way! Luka Modric and co have characteristically grown into their strides as the tournament progresses. The spirit and character they showed to come back in extra time and knock Brazil out at the quarterfinals typified the strength and quality of the team. Each time Croatia have made it past the group stages at a World Cup tournament, they have gone on to reach the final (1998, 2018). However, this semi-finals fixture could be defined by fine margins with Luka Modric expected to be crucial in whatever Croatia do when they have the ball while the importance of Lionel Messi to Argentina cannot be overemphasized. Africa will have its attention glued to the second semi-finals tomorrow between Morocco and defending champions France.
Morocco’s incredible run; beating Belgium, Spain and Portugal in the process, has rapidly turned around their status from underdogs to contenders. Their head coach, Walid Regraghui is not hiding from the fact that they want more and will not contend themselves just playing in the semi-finals of a World Cup tournament. Their strength has been their togetherness and collective spirit on the pitch, similar to that of France which they face next in the semi-finals.
‘Les Bleus’ has ...