Croatia were not the favourites to reach the last four again but they came through two penalty shootouts in a repeat of their 2018 exploits.
When pressed on Croatia’s veteran midfielder Luka Modric, who is still going strong at the age of 37, Scaloni said it was a pleasure to watch him play. “We won’t change our style beyond the system and that’s what we’re going to do. During the game we will of course make decisions and rise up to the challenge.”Scaloni was also asked about the criticism directed at Argentina after their players’ “unsporting behaviour” following their shootout win over the Netherlands.
“We won the Copa America in Brazil and experienced the most sporting behaviour from Messi, Paredes, Neymar – who were all sitting together in the tunnel in the Maracana. I’m really not convinced of this idea of unsporting behaviour.”