Midfielders are going to earn their brass tonight. So are their shinpads, I suspect.

You can see here that the majority of the action is taking place in the middle of the park.

Not much in the way of opportunities.

Image source, Opta

Croatia are growing into this contest, starting to manage the game how they want it.

They waste a decent chance to cross on the left as Borna Sosa belts his delivery straight out of play.

Blame a bobble.

It is a short corner that is reworked for a deep cross that Dejan Lovren meets but under pressure. His effort goes behind harmlessly.

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer at Lusail Stadium

Croatia just taking the sting out of this World Cup semi-final by knocking the ball around with confidence. Argentina trying to get Lionel Messi into the game but this Croatia side have been around the block.

They will not be over-awed or affected by the occasion or Messi's reputation.

Image source, Getty Images

It is very considered, the Croatia approach. Precise and patient. A well-constructed move brings them to game's first corner.

Alan Shearer
Former England striker on BBC Radio 5 Live

Messi tries to run in behind, it was a lovely clever little ball. He thinks he was actually tripped, you can see by his reaction and the way he looked at the referee.

Shamoon Hafez
BBC Sport at Lusail Stadium

Lionel Messi cannot believe a free-kick hasn't been given there, he sat on a deck, threw his arms in the air and then shook his head.

Whistles ring out from the Argentina fans.

Image source, Getty Images

Messi has tried to pull a bit of fast one, I reckon. If there was contact, it looked like Messi instigating it.

Lionel Messi's first involvement in the game is to drop on the edge of the box, claiming a foul.

The referee waves him to get to his feet. Interesting. The ref in the quarter-final gave a free-kick any time anyone breathed near Messi.

Image source, Getty Images

Alexis Mac Allister overruns the ball in midfield and draws a foul from Luka Modric. It was a poor touch in truth. Turned it to his advantage.

Image source, Getty Images

Rob Green
Former England goalkeeper on BBC Radio 5 Live

What Argentina don't have is a large presence up front to hold the ball up so they can dominate when they are in good positions.

Image source, Getty Images

Quite the contrast in the pundit department on ITV. Dixon and Ally McCoist battling it out to decide how full the glass is.

"Cagey" says Lee Dixon on ITV. Fair.

The long throw is out. Croatia launch it into the mixer but Argentina hold firm and head clear.

The momentum is swinging in a minor way back and forwards. Argentina came out in a rush but Croatia are now on the ball and patiently working their magic.

Rob Green
Former England goalkeeper on BBC Radio 5 Live

I watching Croatia against Brazil and I was thinking they needed two Modric's in the team. There are not two in the world.

Image source, Getty Images

Sorry Richard. I'm a dreadful man.

It's been an opening 10 minutes of two sides feeling each other out.

Croatia have that carousel in midfield up and working, though.

Image source, Getty Images

Tell you what, I wouldn't be going anywhere near Josko Gvardiol. Not in that mask. He looks like someone you'd get sent up against in the Thunderdome.

Image source, Getty Images