Lionel Messi celebrates for Argentina.
Croatia – beat Brazil 4-2 (1-1) via penalty shootout
Argentina – beat Netherlands 4-3 (2-2)
Morocco – beat Portugal 1-0
France – beat England 2-1.
2022 FIFA World Cup Semi-final – Full Fixture
December 14: Argentina vs Croatia – Lusail Stadium (12:30 AM IST)
December 15: France vs Morocco – Al Bayt Stadium (12:30 AM IST).
With the quarter-finals concluded, FIFA World Cup 2022 is reaching its climax. Argentina, Croatia, France and Morocco are the four teams which have qualified for the semi-finals of the marquee tournament.
Morocco have become the first African nation to make the cut for the semi-final.
The tournament was a roller-coaster for many teams with several upsets and twists.
Argentina bounced back after suffering a shocking defeat to Saudi Arabia in their opening match of the group stage. The Lionel Messi-led team then won 2-0 over Mexico and 2-0 over Poland to top Group C and storm into the round of 16. They were up against Australia in the last 16 and emerged victorious by 2-1 to cruise into the quarterfinal. In the last eight, the South American team locked horns with Netherlands and won 4-3 on penalties after the score was tied 2-2. Argentina are now all set to face off against Croatia in the semi-final.
Runners up of the 2018 edition, Croatia have lived up to their name and shown that their past performance wasn’t a flash in the pan. They have remained unbeaten in the tournament. In the group stages, Croatia drew 0-0 against Morocco, won 4-1 against Canada and drew 0-0 against Belgium and stormed into the round of 16.
They took on Asian powerhouse Japan in the last 16 and won 3-1 on penalties after the score was tied at 1-1. In the quarter-final, Croatia knocked out star-studded Brazil with a 4-2 win on penalties after the score ended at 1-1 despite going to extra time.
Current World Champions France seem to have continued their dream run since 2018. They faltered only against Tunisia in the group stage as they lost 0-1 to the African country.
But having won 4-1 against Australia and 2-1 against Denmark, France topped Group D and stormed into the last 16. In the round of 16, they prevailed 3-1 over Poland to qualify for the quarter-final. France knocked out England by winning 2-1 in the last eight and cruised into their second consecutive semi-final.
Morocco has been the dark horse of this edition of the World Cup. A tiny African country, most football experts didn’t expect them to make it even to the quarter-finals. But with some great defence and terrific performances, Morocco are in the semi-final.
Their campaign in the tournament has been nothing short of a fairy tale as they have remained unbeaten. In the group stage, Morocco drew 0-0 against Croatia, won 2-0 against Belgium and defeated Canada by 2-1.
They locked horns with a strong Spain in the round of 16 and emerged victorious 3-0 on penalties after score was tied at 0-0 in extra time. In the quarter-final, they surpassed star-studded Portugal with a 1-0 win.
With the likes of Kylian Mbappé who has scored the highest number of goals in FIFA World Cup 2022 and striker Olivier Giroud who is also among the leading goal-scorers in the tournament, France are one of the top contenders for the title with only two matches away. In the semi-final, they’ll be up against Morocco.