World Cup Semi-Finals Betting Tips and Picks

World Cup Semi-Finals Betting Tips and Picks

The FIFA World Cup in Qatar is finally upon us after years of anticipation and we're into the semi-finals, with some huge soccer games set for the knockout rounds.

The last four teams in the tournament two European teams, one South American team and the very first African team to reach this stage, with some highly impressive individual and team performances in the last round standing out for fans all over the world.

We'll take a look at these games between teams who will fancy their chances of making it to the final and provide you with the best free soccer picks for the clash to see if we can earn you some extra cash for the holiday period.

Let's have a look at the fresh World Cup odds.

World Cup semi-finals information

  • Croatia vs Argentina - 13 December 2022, 14:00 ET
  • Morocco vs France - 14 December 2022, 14:00 ET

Soccer picks: Croatia vs Argentina - Lionel Messi first goalscorer

A more than unexpected semi-final takes place first, as Croatia take on Argentina for a place in the final.

Croatia came through their group in difficult circumstances, drawing 0-0 with both Morocco and Belgium, with a 4-1 win over Canada enough to claim them the runners-up spot.

They then claimed a penalty shootout win over Japan thanks to a 1-1 draw when Ivan Perisic scored a beautiful header, and then in the last round they shocked the world.

A 0-0 draw with Brazil after 90 minutes took the game to extra-time again, before they fell behind to a stunning Neymar goal. They equalised with just five minutes remaining though through Bruno Petkovic took them to another penalty shootout where they won 4-2.

Argentina lost the opening game in arguably the biggest shock of the tournament, losing 2-1 to Saudi Arabia but have since bounced back and won their next four games.

They controlled the game against Mexico to claim a 2-0 win, before an easy 2-0 win over Poland saw them win the group.

That set up a last 16 game with Australia which they navigated well to claim a 2-1 win, before they part of the best game of the tournament so far when they threw away a 2-0 lead vs Netherlands to draw 2-2 in 90 minutes before winning on penalties in a fiery encounter.

Argentina to qualify Croatia vs Argentina
BetOnline
-255

On paper this game has got extra-time and penalties written all over it.

In eight of the last nine tournament games that Croatia have played where it was an option, they have taken the game to extra-time at least, including when they made it to the World Cup final in Russia four years ago.

Their midfield is a huge reason for that and is where they dominate games, with Luka Modric still the star of the show despite being 37 years of age.

Defensively Josko Gvardiol has been one of the stand-out performers in the tournament, but their big problem has been scoring goals - only managing to find the back of the net once inside the regulation 90 minutes during this tournament discounting the Canada game.

Argentina have been impressive with real grit and heart in their performances, with the introduction of Julian Alvarez making a big difference to their attacking patterns.

They will look to break this game up and disrupt the Croatia midfield, but with the great Lionel Messi as the main man and the difference maker he could be the guy to lead by example.

I don't expect a lot of goals, so the Unders could certainly be a shout but I'm going to go with the genius to get the first goal and potentially only goal in an Argentina win.

Lionel Messi to score first Croatia vs Argentina
BetOnline
+350

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Soccer picks: Morocco vs France - Kylian Mbappe to score in  90 mins

FIFA World Cup Semi-FinalsBetOnlineBetUSMyBookie
Morocco+665+675+600
France-185-200-185
Tie+300+300+290

The surprise package of the tournament Morocco became the first African team to ever make it to this stage of the tournament when they eliminated Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal in the quarter-finals with a big 1-0 win.

They got to this stage by winning their group, defeating Belgium 2-0 and Canada 2-1 to go with a 0-0 draw against Croatia. Morocco also claimed a 0-0 draw with Spain in the last 16 round, before picking up the win on penalties.

France on the other hand have been flying through this tournament in relatively dominant fashion.

Didier Deschamps' side claimed a 4-1 win over Australia in their opening group game, before battling to a 2-1 win over Denmark and securing qualification. They lost the final group game to Tunisia after completely rotating their team, but bounced back with a dominant 3-1 win over Poland in the last 16.

Their quarter-final clash was a tense affair, with Olivier Giroud extending his record as the team's all-time top scorer to give them a 2-1 win over England.

France to qualify Morocco vs France
BetOnline
-425

France are the clear favourites to win this clash, but so were Spain and Portugal before them.

Manager Walid Regragui took charge of the team in August and has now been in charge for nine games, and the team have conceded just one goal - an own goal in the win over Canada.

They're unbelievably organised defensively and carry a fantastic threat going forward on the counter attack with the individual ability of Sofyan Boufal, Hakim Ziyech and Youssef En-Nesyri.

France however are a different kettle of fish and are the defending world champions, looking to become the first team to retain the trophy since Brazil did it 60 years ago.

The brilliance of Antoine Griezmann in his attacking midfield role has been sensational in this tournament, while Giroud will give them a focal point in attack.

However it's the fantastic Kylian Mbappe who will steal the show once again. He has five goals in the tournament so far and has been the eye-catching performer for France, and there is an argument that he is the best player in the world right now.

Back the phenom to be the difference-maker as he has been so often before, and get rewarded with a goal to go to his second consecutive World Cup final.

Kylian Mbappe to score in 90 mins Morocco vs France
BetUS
+125

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