International Football
Croatia stands in the way of Argentina’s dream of a World Cup final spot
Argentina, led by superstar Lionel Messi, came into the World Cup as one of the favourites but they face a big roadblock in the semi-final on Tuesday with 2018 runners-up Croatia, who proved too much for the other title contenders, Brazil.
The Croats stunned the tournament favourites in the quarter-finals with a vintage performance, after going a goal down in extra-time but digging deep to bounce back and force a penalty shootout that they ended up winning.
While their elimination of the five-time world champions was largely unexpected given Brazil’s form, it was still a classic Croatian achievement.
With a never-say-die attitude, even when the odds were stacked heavily against them, disciplined Croatia are now deservedly in their second straight World Cup semi-final, and underestimating them would come at Argentina’s risk.
Playmaker Luka Modric has been their driving force at the age of 37, a motivation for everyone else in the squad.
With no players suspended and no injury concerns following the return of defender Borna Sosa, Zlatko Dalic’s team is brimming with confidence and ready for more.
Super-sub Bruno Petkovic, who scored the equaliser against Brazil, could earn back his starting spot over Andrej Kramaric while Mario Pasalic is expected to keep his in attack.
The Argentines, looking for their first World Cup title since Diego Maradona’s 1986 team, have their work cut out.
Defenders Marcos Acuna, a starter, and Gonzalo Montiel are suspended because of bookings, limiting coach Lionel Scaloni’s options at the back.
Nicolas Tagliafico could come on to replace the former but it will be a less attacking formation, with wingback Acuna having added more spark to the team.
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A question mark also hangs over veteran Angel Di Maria and his fitness, with the 34-year-old having largely been used as a substitute in the tournament despite recovering from injury.
Messi, at 35, playing likely his last World Cup, is desperate to land the one major title missing from his extensive collection but he is also carrying the weight of the nation on his shoulders.
The comparison with Maradona for the title of the greatest Argentine player of all time cannot be complete without a world title, which the late Maradona won almost single-handedly 36 years ago.
They almost did not make the semi-finals after the Dutch came from 2-0 down to score twice late in the game and force extra time and penalties in a bad-tempered encounter.
A repeat of a shootout, this time against mentally tough Croatia, must be a terrifying prospect for Scaloni’s men even though keeper Emiliano Martinez rose to the occasion against the Netherlands, saving two spot kicks.
Croatia came through two shootouts and extra-time to reach the 2018 final before losing to France and have gone to penalties in both their knockout stage matches in Qatar to boast a 4-0 perfect record. Based on that statistic, another one against Argentina would most likely carry them into the final.
-Reuters
By Kunle Solaja
Nigeria’s Super Eagles and Portugal will meet for only the second time at the senior level when they clash in an international friendly in Leiria on Wednesday night.
The encounter comes under remarkably similar circumstances to their first meeting in November 2022, when Portugal defeated Nigeria 4-0 in Lisbon just days before the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Once again, Portugal are using Nigeria as their final warm-up match before the World Cup. Four years ago, the Portuguese selected the Super Eagles to prepare for a group-stage clash against Ghana, the team that denied Nigeria a place at Qatar 2022.
History appears to be repeating itself. This time, Portugal are preparing for a World Cup opening fixture against the Democratic Republic of Congo, another team that shattered Nigeria’s World Cup ambitions by eliminating the Super Eagles from the qualification race.
The match at the 29,000-capacity Estádio Dr Magalhães Pessoa offers Nigeria an opportunity to avenge the heavy defeat suffered four years ago and test themselves against one of Europe’s strongest sides.
Portugal coach Roberto Martinez has assembled a star-studded squad featuring five-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, Ruben Dias, Rafael Leão and João Félix.
The Portuguese head into the encounter unbeaten in their last four matches, having recorded victories over the United States and Chile while drawing with Mexico.
Nigeria, under coach Eric Chelle, have also enjoyed an impressive run. Since taking charge 15 months ago, the Franco-Malian tactician has overseen 24 matches and suffered only one defeat in regulation time.
With both teams carrying impressive recent records, Wednesday’s friendly promises to be far more competitive than the scoreline from their last meeting suggests.
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By Kunle Solaja
Nigeria coach Eric Chelle will put his impressive record on the line when the Super Eagles face Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal in an international friendly on Wednesday.
Since assuming control of the national team 15 months ago, Chelle has transformed the Super Eagles into a difficult side to beat. The Franco-Malian coach has supervised 24 matches and suffered only one defeat in normal time.
That record will be severely tested against a Portuguese side brimming with quality and confidence ahead of the FIFA World Cup.
Portugal coach Roberto Martinez has every reason to be optimistic. His team are unbeaten in their last four outings and possess one of the strongest squads heading to the World Cup finals.
The Seleção das Quinas will rely on the experience of Cristiano Ronaldo and the creativity of Bruno Fernandes and Bernardo Silva, while Ruben Dias marshals a defence that has been difficult to break down.
Nigeria will be without star forwards Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman, but Chelle still has significant attacking options in Samuel Chukwueze, Moses Simon, Paul Onuachu, Akor Adams and Terem Moffi.
The Eagles have also received encouraging news with the availability of defenders Semi Ajayi, Calvin Bassey and Emmanuel Fernandez despite the injury-enforced departure of Igoh Ogbu from camp.
A positive result in Leiria would further strengthen belief in Chelle’s methods and provide another indication that the Super Eagles are moving in the right direction under his leadership.
Kick-off is scheduled for 8:45 p.m. in both Portugal and Nigeria.
NIGERIA’S LAST FIVE MATCHES
- Iran I Nigeria 2 (International Friendly: 27/03/26)
- Jordan 2 Nigeria 2 (International Friendly: 31/03/26)
- Nigeria 2 Zimbabwe 0 (Unity Cup 2026: 26/05/26)
- Jamaica 0 Nigeria 3 (Unity Cup 2026: 30/05/26)
- Poland 2 Nigeria 2 (International Friendly: 03/06/26)
PORTUGAL’S LAST FIVE MATCHES
- Ireland 2 Portugal 0 (2026 World Cup Qualifier: 13/11/25)
- Portugal 9 Armenia 1 (2026 World Cup Qualifier: 16/11/25)
- Mexico 0 Portugal 0 (International Friendly: 29/03/26)
- USA 0 Portugal 2 (International Friendly: 01/04/26)
- Portugal 2 Chile 1 (International Friendly: 06/06/26)
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By Kunle Solaja
Alexander Iwobi will join an elite group of Nigerian footballers this Wednesday when he earns his 100th international cap in the Super Eagles’ friendly against Portugal in Leiria.
The midfielder will be honoured before kick-off at the Estádio Dr Magalhães Pessoa as he reaches the significant landmark in a career that has spanned more than a decade with the national team.
Iwobi’s milestone provides an additional layer of significance to a high-profile encounter against a Portuguese side packed with global stars and preparing for the FIFA World Cup.
The former Arsenal player is expected to play a central role in coach Eric Chelle’s plans as Nigeria seeks a positive result against Roberto Martinez’s men.
Captain Wilfred Ndidi is likely to partner Iwobi in midfield, with Frank Onyeka, Raphael Onyedika, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru and Tochukwu Nnadi among the options available to complete the engine room.
Despite the absence of key attackers Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman, Chelle, according to a press release by the NFF, remains optimistic. Samuel Chukwueze has returned after missing the recent friendly against Poland, while Moses Simon, Paul Onuachu, Terem Moffi and Akor Adams are available.
The Super Eagles coach will also draw confidence from the recent performances of Philip Otele, whose displays at the Unity Cup in London and against Poland have earned widespread praise.
Iwobi’s century appearance will place him among the most-capped players in Nigeria’s football history and provide added motivation for the Super Eagles as they seek to upset one of Europe’s most talented squads.
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