Croatia vs Argentina Prop Bets: Modric's Contributions Finally Reach Scoresheet

As Argentina and Croatia square off in a must-see semifinal, two of this generation’s greats – Lionel Messi and Luka Modric – look to leave their mark on this World Cup by reaching the final. For one of these legends, Tuesday will surely be their last appearance on this stage.

Both teams endured extra time and survived penalty shootouts on Friday – and now these star-studded line-ups are serving up an array of tasty World Cup semifinal props as they collide in Lusail.

Here are my prop picks for Tuesday’s showdown, but don’t forget to check out our Argentina vs Croatia full-game picks and predictions.

Croatia vs Argentina World Cup props

• Modric to score or assist (+290)
• Argentina TT Over 1.5 (+110)
• Brozovic to receive a yellow card (+225)

Click on each pick to jump to the full analysis.

Croatia vs Argentina World Cup props

Luk'in good

Modric was outstanding in Croatia’s quarterfinal victory over Brazil, rarely wasting a pass and calmly scoring his penalty in the shootout. At 37, you’d expect some kind of drop-off in his performances with consecutive knockout games going into extra time, but he’s been tireless in keeping his team ticking along. I’m expecting the Croatia captain to once again be at the heart of his team’s best moves on Tuesday. 

Remarkably, Modric is yet to register a goal or assist at this World Cup despite a string of standout displays, but I like these World Cup odds for the Real Madrid man to make a key contribution against Argentina. After all, Modric has hurt the Albiceleste at the World Cup before, scoring a screamer in a 3-0 group-stage win in 2018.

As Croatia’s first-choice penalty taker and one of the top options to deliver corners and free-kicks, Modric is one of the biggest threats here against an Argentina defense that seemed rattled during the Netherlands’ dramatic quarterfinal comeback.

Look for set pieces to be one of the best paths to goalscoring chances for Zlatko Dalic’s side, with the aerial prowess of centerbacks Dejan Lovren and Josko Gvardiol.

With a flair for the big occasion, and in perhaps his last major international tournament game, Modric – a five-time Champions League winner – knows what it takes to win knockout games. Take a long look at these odds for the midfielder to have a goal or assist.

Luka Modric Prop: To score or assist (+290 at FanDuel)

Two-goal masters

The Argentina attack was subdued in the shock opening loss to Saudi Arabia, but Messi & Co. have found their shooting boots over the past four games while looking every inch a World Cup contender. The Albiceleste hit back with 2-0 wins over Mexico and Poland in the group stage – in fact, they’ve scored two goals in every game since that early wake-up call.

With Messi playing the dual role of creator and scorer, Argentina has the quality to keep that streak going in the semifinal, backed by vocal support from their fans. On Friday, it was fullbacks Nahuel Molina and Marcos Acuña making the difference, while Messi has four goals to his name in Qatar. Angel Di Maria should be fit enough for a bigger role here and Julian Alvarez is often the beneficiary of all the attention that Messi attracts.

Croatia defended expertly against Brazil in the quarterfinal and has midfield schemers of their own to seize control of possession, but this Argentina team arguably offers even more variety than Brazil in the final third. The Croatians have logged the full 240 minutes in navigating the knockout rounds so far, and some fatigue is to be expected.

If Lionel Scaloni’s men grab the lead – as they have done in every game at the tournament – then gaps could open up as Croatia chase the game. I like these odds for an emboldened Argentina to find the net at least twice in Lusail.

Prop: Argentina team total Over 1.5 (+110 at bet365)

Yellow for Marcelo

Croatia’s midfield has been the biggest driving force behind this run to the semifinal, with Marcelo Brozovic generally tasked with sitting deeper than Modric and Mateo Kovacic to shield the back four.

He’s an expert in this role, but the job description includes breaking up the play – and that often leads to desperate challenges to halt counter-attacks. That’s exactly what happened against Brazil when Brozovic was booked for a foul on Neymar.

A yellow card here would result in Brozovic being suspended if Croatia reach the final, so it’s sure to be on his mind – but it’s also easy to envision scenarios where the Inter Milan midfielder has to commit to the type of risky tackle that is so easy to mistime.

Messi, Alvarez, Di Maria, and Rodrigo De Paul are all capable of getting into the space between the Croatia midfield and defense – and that’s where Brozovic will be walking a tightrope to avoid a card in this semifinal.

Marcelo Brozovic Prop: To receive a yellow card (+225 at bet365)

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