Two Ballon d’Or winners. Two captains. Two leaders. Two magicians.But there can be only one tonight. One that will raise his hands high above in celebration after this epic battle reaches its end.Lionel Messi and Luka Modric started their international careers both in 2006, and while the former scored his maiden goal for the national side in a friendly against Croatia, the latter made his international debut in that same match. From that moment on, the paths have crossed for those two numerous times, but none of those games – and there were more than a few critical El Clasicos along the road – had the importance of this one tonight in Doha.Luka Modrić 14(Croatia) and Lionel Messi 19(Argentina) Croatia vs Argentina3-2 at Basel, Switzerlandon 1 March 2006 photo by Masahide Tomikoshi/TOMIKOSHI PHOTOGRAPHY pic.twitter.com/EfpmPJYwt9— tphoto (@tphoto2005) December 13, 2022 The veteran 10s will lead their respective sides in a fixture larger-than-life, with everything at stake. Especially for the PSG star, as this is his ultimate chance to take his national team to a desperately-expected and much-needed World Cup title that would make him toe-to-toe with legendary Diego Armando Maradona.The secret of life? Ask these people, they’re living it like no one else…Unlike Messi, Modric hasn’t got such a massive burden on his shoulders, as he has already led the Croats to unbelievable heights. That second place in Russia four years ago seemed like a genuine miracle, but what about repeating it in two successive tournaments? One thing is for sure – it’s not a miracle anymore, but proof of pure class and the squad’s depth.The dream of the sixth World Cup title is over – Croatia sends Brazil home!That’s exactly what the Albiceleste should worry about, as Modric has got an entire army of second-to-none soldiers that are doing all the dirty work for the tiny playmaker so he can shine on the biggest stage of all with his sublime passes and runs.Seems to us Messi is, on the other hand, left a bit alone by his teammates, who are doing their best to reach his levels but are nothing more than modest in terms of skills and effectiveness.That’s Croatia’s virtue no one is allowed to overlook because even when Modric is having a bad day, Perisic, Kovacic and Brozovic are there to step up and pour in some more energy and calm into the team.##NAJAVA_MECA_6886335##Both sides are probably a bit tired after those dramatic quarter-final penalty shootouts, which saw them overpower the Netherlands and Brazil, respectively. Furthermore, the Croats are oddly familiar with that sort of late-wins, as they managed to top Japan in the same manner in the Round of 16, and basically, their almost complete 2018 success was built around that penalty-shootout aura.Just like tango! Back and forth, push and pull as Argentina power through to the semi-finalsFor them, it’s not a lottery but an opportunity to demonstrate all the mental strength and self-confidence they’ve gathered over the years. With coach Zlatko Dalic acting as a charming subtle-operator from the dugout, showing almost no signs of nervousness whatsoever during the competition.His counterpart, Lionel Scaloni, has also done some marvellous jobs with this occasionally frantic side in the past. Scaloni: If you like football – you like Modrić; Tagliafico: Our biggest advantage – MessiStill, with all due respect to both gaffers, it seems that this semifinal will be decided between two of the most gifted players of our time. And now, it’s time for them to cross the Rubicon. Only there’s no room for both. There can be only one…QATAR 2022 WORLD CUP1/2 FINALSTuesday22.00: (1.95) Argentina (3.40) Croatia (4.50)Wednesday22.00: (1.60) France (3.70) Morocco (7.50)***odds are subject to change
