Who will Zlatko Dalic pick in his starting XI against Argentina in the semifinal?
2018 World Cup finalists Croatia will hope to go one step further as they continue their 2022 campaign in the semifinal against Argentina.
Having missed out on the trophy last time around, star midfielder and captain Luka Modric will be hoping to come back home with the iconic trophy this time around.
Having graduated from a group consisting of Belgium, Morocco and Canada and then knocking out Japan and tournament favourites Brazil, they are now set to take on Argentina in the next round of the tournament on December 13.
Zlatko Dalic's squad feature familiar faces such as Modric, Andrej Kramaric, Ivan Perisic and Mateo Kovacic.
Let see how many of those players will make the starting XI up when they come up against Argentina in the second knockout round of the competition.
ALSO READ: World Cup 2022 Group F: Fixtures, results, standings, squads & full details
GettyGOALKEEPERS
Dominik Livakovic has been Dalic's first-choice so far in the tournament and that's unlikely to change in the semifinal.
He kept clean sheets against Morocco and Belgium, while Canada managed to slip one goal past him as Croatia went through as Group F runners up behind the African nation. He also stood out for Croatia in back-to-back penalty shootout wins against Japan and Brazil
Ivica Ivusic and Atletico Madrid's Ivo Grbic are also available as the two other options.
Name
Club
Dominik Livakovic
Dinamo Zagreb
Ivica Ivusic
Osijek
Ivo Grbic
Atletico Madrid
AdvertisementGettyDEFENDERS
Josip Juranovic played every minute of football for Croatia thus far and will surely start once again at right-back against Argentina.
The experienced Dejan Lovren will likely keep his place in the centre alongside the 20-year-old Josko Gvardiol following his bright performances so far.
At left-back, Borna Sosa will continue having also played and finished every match so far.
Dalic can also call on the likes of Domagoj Vida, Borna Barisic, Josip Sutalo, Martin Erlic and Josip Stanisic when needed.
Name
Club
Josip Stanisic
Bayern Munich
Borna Barisic
Rangers
Josip Sutalo
Dinamo Zagreb
Dejan Lovren
Zenit St Petersburg
Borna Sosa
Stuttgart
Josko Gvardiol
RB Leipzig
Domagoj Vida
AEK Aethens
Josip Juranovic
Celtic
Martin Erlic
Sassuolo
GettyMIDFIELDERS
The midfield also looks fairly simple for Dalic.
Captain Luka Modric, Mateo Kovacic and Marcelo Brozovic will most likely continue as the first choice players in the middle of the park, having started all five games.
Lovro Majer, Nikola Vlasic, Mario Pasalic and Red Bull Salzburg youngster Luka Sucic will all be ready to take their chance if they get it.
Name
Club
Lovro Majer
Rennes
Mateo Kovacic
Chelsea
Luka Modric
Real Madrid
Marcelo Brozovic
Inter
Mario Pasalic
Atalanta
Nikola Vlasic
Torino
Luka Sucic
RB Salzburg
Kristijan Jakic
Eintracht Frankfurt
GettyATTACKERS
Andrej Kramaric and Ivan Perisic have both started all five games so far and will surely keep their place for the clash against Japan.
Marko Livaja was brought into the starting XI to replace Nikola Vlasic after the opening day draw against Morocco and could yet again be trusted in the semifinal.
Ante Budimir, Mislav Orsic, Bruno Petkovic and Vlasic are all available to fill in should any of the other attackers fall out of the starting XI.
Name
Club
Ivan Perisic
Tottenham
Andrej Kramaric
Hoffenheim
Marko Livaja
Hajduk Split
Bruno Petkovic
Dinamo Zagreb
Ante Budimir
Osasuna
Mislav Orsic
Dinamo Zagreb