DOHA (Reuters) - Argentina, led by superstar Lionel Messi, came into the World Cup as one of the favourites but they face a big roadblock in the semi-final on Tuesday with 2018 runners-up Croatia, who proved too much for the other title contenders, Brazil.
The Croats stunned the tournament favourites in the quarter-finals with a vintage performance, after going a goal down in extra-time but digging deep to bounce back and force a penalty shootout that they ended up winning.
Playmaker Luka Modric has been their driving force at the age of 37, a motivation for everyone else in the squad. The Argentines, looking for their first World Cup title since Diego Maradona's 1986 team, have their work cut out. Messi, at 35, playing likely his last World Cup, is desperate to land the one major title missing from his extensive collection but he is also carrying the weight of the nation on his shoulders.
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