Down to just four teams, the FIFA World Cup heats up further in the semifinals as a handful of teams remain vying for the 2022 crown.
All remaining teams have proven battle tested. Betting favorites Brazil are no longer in the mix, ousted by Croatia in a penalty shootout. Their CONMEBOL rivals Argentina, however are still kicking. Lionel Messi and company have taken their lumps this tournament, but thus far have survived to remain alive in the field of four.
The other semifinal will feature France and Morocco in a clash of two French-speaking nations. The Europeans saw their way past England in an entertaining affair, while Morocco stunned Spain and Portugal to reach this stage. The Atlas Lions are the first African nation to reach the semifinals of a FIFA World Cup in the competition’s history.
Below are the odds for the confirmed semifinal matchups at the 2022 World Cup, and how we see these matches playing out on the field.
MORE: See Richarlison’s scissor-kick goal, which still stands out amongst best 2022 World Cup goals
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Argentina vs. Croatia prediction, odds
Argentina survived 12 rounds of heavyweight boxing against the Netherlands, unlike their CONMEBOL rivals Brazil, who bowed out at the hands of Croatia.
Lionel Messi produced a magical moment early, but the Netherlands scored twice in the final 10 minutes to force extra-time and penalties. Still, Messi advanced after shootout heroics from goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez.
They’ll face Croatia who are also led by an elder statesman in Luka Modric. Their midfield dominated the quarterfinal against Brazil, and a 117th minute goal earned a chance in the penalty shootout. There, goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic shined again as Croatia moved on and the betting favorites dropped out.
Argentina vs. Croatia odds
Odds via BetMGM (USA), Sports Interaction (Canada), SkyBet (UK), and Ladbrokes (Australia).
| BetMGM | Sports Interaction |
SkyBet | Ladbrokes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Argentina win | -110 | 1.77 | 3/4 | 4/5 |
| Draw | +240 | 3.25 | 12/5 | 9/4 |
| Croatia win | +375 | 4.80 | 17/4 | 4/1 |
| Both teams to score Y / N |
+125 / -185 | 2.20 / 1.53 | 11/8, 8/15 | 5/4, 3/5 |
| Over / Under 2.5 goals |
+145 / -210 | 2.46 / 1.49 | 13/8, 4/9 | 6/4, 1/2 |
| Argentina -0.5 | -135 | 1.77 | — | — |
| Croatia +0.5 | -110 | 1.99 | — | — |
| Argentina advance | -275 | 1.36 | 1/3 | 4/11 |
| Croatia advance | +185 | 2.90 | 9/4 | 2/1 |
Note: Odds above for 90 minutes of regulation except “to advance.”
Argentina vs. Croatia prediction
- Prediction: Croatia 0-0 Argentina (Argentina advance on penalties)
After the way Croatia played against Brazil, it’s hard to see why they can’t muster the same performance against a similar opponent in Argentina.
Croatia’s midfield played defense via possession against Brazil, with Marcelo Brozovic, Luka Modric, and Mateo Kovacic producing a masterclass. That would be a winning formula against Argentina as well as they hope to cut off the line-breaking passes that Argentina love to deliver.
Croatia have managed to reach extra-time in five of their last six World Cup knockout matches, only failing to do so in the 4-2 defeat to France in the 2018 final. Argentina do not look inspired in the final third, and seeing as they’ll miss a few players due to yellow card suspensions, Croatia could do the business again here with a pragmatic performance.
France vs. Morocco prediction, odds
It was far from easy, but France outlasted European rivals England to reach the semifinals of the 2022 World Cup. The survival was largely thanks to a penalty miss from Harry Kane, who had a chance to level the score in the 83rd minute but sailed his spot-kick, leaving Olivier Giroud’s go-ahead goal moments earlier as the eventual winner.
Morocco, meanwhile, stunned yet another European side, knocking Portugal out of the World Cup quarterfinals just days after seeing Spain dumped from the Round of 16. They rode their defense and goalkeeping yet again, and Youssef En-Nesyri’s first-half goal proved the difference.
France and Morocco are both teams that have worked hard to capitalize on opponents’ mistakes and find ways to win without their best performances or players. It’s a trait that serves teams well in the World Cup, an environment where mistakes must be punished and squad depth must rise to the challenge.
France vs. Morocco odds
Odds via BetMGM (USA), Sports Interaction (Canada), SkyBet (UK), and Ladbrokes (Australia).
| BetMGM | Sports Interaction |
SkyBet | Ladbrokes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| France win | -185 | 1.51 | 1/2 | 8/15 |
| Draw | +290 | 3.76 | 29/10 | 27/10 |
| Morocco win | +550 | 6.71 | 6/1 | 6/1 |
| Both teams to score Y / N |
+130 / -190 | 2.29 / 1.48 | 11/8, 8/15 | 27/20, 8/15 |
| Over / Under 2.5 goals |
+120 / -165 | 2.23 / 1.58 | 5/4, 4/7 | 5/4, 4/7 |
| France -0.5 | -200 | 1.50 | — | — |
| Morocco +0.5 | +140 | 2.47 | — | — |
| France advance | -450 | 1.22 | 1/5 | 2/9 |
| Morocco advance | +275 | 3.85 | 10/3 | 29/10 |
Note: Odds above for 90 minutes of regulation except “to advance.”
France vs. Morocco prediction
- Prediction: France 1-0 Morocco
It is going to be brutally difficult for France to break Morocco down, that much is clear.
Despite many of us doubting Morocco’s ability to keep Portugal off the board, the African nation only went and blanked their European foes across 90 minutes despite a host of injuries to key players. Therefore, we’re no longer doubting the ability of this quasi-home team to perform.
It will take a Herculean effort to get past Morocco’s organization and structure, but this is no green squad France possess. While Portugal and Spain deployed young, inexperienced sides against Morocco who struggled to adapt in a pressure situation, France will know exactly how to attack this African team.
At the risk of doubting Morocco a third time, it’s tough to imagine the Atlas Lions advancing to the World Cup final. An early goal will be key for France here, as the longer they go without scoring, the more panic will set in and the more Morocco will grow in belief.