Lionel Messi's Argentina are set to take on Luka Modric's Croatia in semi-final of FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 for a place in the final.
The match will begin at 1:00 am on Wednesday (Bangladesh time).
According to analysts, the game looks set to be one of the most exciting clashes of the World Cup. This edition of the tournament is probably the last chance to win a World Cup for both 35-year-old Messi and 37-year-old Luka Modric.
Argentine defender Nicolas Tagliafico told BBC that Lionel Messi's presence will give Argentina a "special advantage" against Croatia in their World Cup semi-final, says defender Nicolas Tagliafico.
Argentina's progress to tonight's match has largely been inspired by Messi, the forward scoring four and assisting two of their nine goals.
"He has always been like this," said Lyon left-back Tagliafico.
"For us he is our captain and our leader. He is the one pushing us and motivating us."
But Croatia head coach Zlatko Dalic believes the pressure to help Messi lift the trophy in what could well be his final World Cup could work against Argentina.
"If we win that would make it the greatest historical game for Croatia of all time," said Dalic, who led his side to a 3-0 victory over Argentina en route to the 2018 World Cup final.
"We are among the four best teams in the world - that is an extraordinary success for Croatia. It is a great thing for two World Cups in a row to be in the four best national teams in football.
"We want more. We are playing the great Argentina, a terrific team led by Lionel Messi. They are highly motivated and under more pressure than Croatia at this moment in time."
