Argentina vs Croatia live updates as pair battle it out for World Cup final spot

All eyes will be on the Lusail Stadium on Tuesday night, as Argentina take on Croatia in the first semi-final of the World Cup in Qatar.

Argentina are the favourites for the tie thanks to the brilliance of Lionel Messi. The veteran forward, 35, has scored four goals and provided two assists during the tournament, as he looks to win the one major trophy that's eluded him during his illustrious career.

Yet Croatia aren't pushovers. Zlatko Dalic's side reached the final of the last World Cup in Russia four years ago and have stubbornly defeated Japan and Brazil on penalties in their previous two games. They also have Luka Modric in the heart of their midfield. Kick off is 7pm UK time.

Follow our live blog to find out what happens on Tuesday night...

18:27KEY EVENT

Team news

A reminder of tonight's teams...

Argentina: Martinez; Molina, Romero, Otamendi, Tagliafico; De Paul, Paredes, Fernandez; Mac Allister, Alvarez, Messi.

Croatia: Livakovic; Juranovic, Lovren, Gvardiol, Sosa; Modric, Brozovic, Kovacic; Pasalic, Perisic, Kramaric.

18:25KEY EVENT

Messi "can't escape" scrutiny

Gary Neville believes Lionel Messi can't escape the pressure he's under tonight.

The former England assistant manager told ITV: "With Messi I think he can't escape it - the sort of Maradona element, Argentina, the World Cup.

"It's a special story, I think now England have gone out, it would be the greatest story if Messi was to win the tournament.

"I think he's a genius, and I think Maradona is the sort of, it feels like the Argentina team is - average is too strong - but you look at what Maradona did, he lifted that team to something that was well beyond what they were capable of as a group and he's doing the same here, lifted them right through the tournament."

18:24Tom Blow

Focus on the team - not the individual

Roy Keane believes neither Argentina nor Croatia will be worried too much about Luka Modric and Lionel Messi respectively.

The Manchester United legend told ITV: "I think they [Argentina and Croatia] will recognise that they [Messi and Modric] are the star men, their teammates have huge respect for them.

"But the players themselves they're playing for their families, for their country - I don't think you'd just be having that one player on your mind, as much as they deserve it they've been unbelievable players throughout this tournament and careers.

"But I don't think I'd feel as a player you'd want to get over the line just for them, you're doing it for your country."

18:18Tom Blow

Messi is in the building!

18:04Andros Townsend

Andros Townsend wants Argentina win

I'll be honest, I'd love to see Messi against Mbappe in an A-list Final on Sunday.

The fight for the World Cup only comes around every four years and when it does you want to see the biggest players justifying the hype.

Mbappe has scored five times to get France to these semi-finals and Messi has scored four times in five games.

I think both will make it through to a final that would have fantastic sub-plots on either side.

Click here to read more from Andros Townsend!

18:01Tom Blow

Croatia take a look at the pitch...

17:45Tom Blow

Croatia XI

Croatia's team for tonight's game is as follows...

Livakovic; Juranovic, Lovren, Gvardiol, Sosa; Modric, Brozovic, Kovacic; Pasalic, Kramaric, Perisic.

That means Croatia are unchanged from the team that defeated Brazil on penalties!

17:37Tom Blow

Excitement is growing at the Lusail Stadium...

17:21Tom Blow

Argentina XI

It's believed Argentina's starting XI for tonight's game is as follows...

Martinez; Molina, Romero, Otamendi, Tagliafico; De Paul, Paredes, Fernandez, Mac Allister; Messi, Alvarez.

That means there's no place for Lisandro Martinez!

17:19Tom Blow

Tight battle on the cards

There's nothing to choose from between the two teams when it comes to their head-to-head record.

There's been two wins for Argentina, two for Croatia and one draw in their previous five meetings.

Croatia won 3-0 the last time these two nations met at the World Cup in Russia four years ago.

16:56Tom Blow

Form guide

Argentina suffered a shock defeat to Saudi Arabia in their first game of the tournament but have since beaten Mexico, Poland and Australia in normal time. They defeated the Netherlands on penalties in their last game.

Croatia have won just one game in normal time - their 4-1 triumph against Canada. Their other group games against Morocco and Belgium finish goalless, while they defeated Japan and Brazil on penalties after 1-1 draws.

16:54Tom Blow

Previous World Cup wins

Argentina are two-time winners of the World Cup after lifting the trophy in 1978 and 1986.

They also finished as runners-up in 1990 and 2014.

Croatia have never won the World Cup - but they did reach the final in 2018.

16:53Tom Blow

Good evening!

Hello and welcome to our live World Cup blog!

We'll keep you posted on everything that happens during the semi-final clash between Argentina and Croatia.

Stay tuned!