Argentina vs Croatia: Lionel Messi, Luka Modric carry their nations into FIFA World Cup semis in Qatar

Tears are flowing from soccer's biggest superstars as y make emotional exits from what might be ir last World Cup.

First it was Neymar. n it was Cristia Ronaldo. Could Lionel Messi be next? Momentum is building behind Messi's push to cap his career with biggest prize in game. 35-year-old Argentina playmaker has carried his team to semifinals, almost in same way Diego Marona — man with whom Messi is so often compared — led South American nation to its second and most recent World Cup title in 1986.

w in Argentina's way is Croatia, a country with a population of 4 million which is establishing a reputation as most stubborn and durable of opponents while also boasting one of soccer's most graceful players in Luka Modric.

teams go he to he at Lusail Stium — also venue for Sunday's final — in a meeting between last two runners-up at tournament: Argentina in 2014 and Croatia in 2018.

Argentina might have been expected to be in this position. team arrived at World Cup as Copa America champion, on a 36-match unbeaten run and with Messi back in sublime form for Paris Saint-Germain.

re was much less ise around Croatians, yet y keep on surprising just like four years ago when ir run to final included a 3-0 victory over Argentina in group st. y also reached World Cup semifinals in 1998.

Both teams have come through uncomfortable moments. Argentina's darkest time was right at start of tournament, after a 2-1 loss to Saudi Arabia in what will go down as one of World Cup's biggest upsets.

Inspired by Messi and one of most fervent fan followings in Qatar, Argentina won its final two group games, ended up squeezing past Australia 2-1 in round of 16 and n required penalties to get past Nerlands in a wild quarterfinal match.

Messi w has four goals in tournament in Qatar, leaving him one behind top scorer Kylian Mbappé. y are probably two standout players at a World Cup that has seen many or top players live up to ir lofty reputations.

Modric is a case in point.

He might t have scored a goal. He hasn't even h an assist. But don't underestimate importance to Croatia of little magician who keeps things ticking in midfield and mans to assert some control for a team which fights until last minute.

In 2018, each of Croatia's kckout games went into extra time before team lost to France in final, and same thing is happening in Qatar, with victories in penalty shootouts over Japan in last 16 and Brazil in quarterfinals.

Croatia looked more comfortable against Brazil than against Japan, which shows team might be happier to invite pressure and choose its moments to break forward rar than control games and be more susceptible to counterattack.

Containing Messi will be key and much of responsibility re lies with holding midfielder Marcelo Brozovic, who protected Croatia's defense so well against Brazil.

Argentina will be without two players because of suspension: left back Marcos Acuña and right back Gonzalo Montiel. Acuña is bigger miss, having impressed since coming into team after loss to Saudi Arabia, and he is likely to be replaced by Nicolás Tagliafico.