Argentina captain Lionel Messi has described Croatia as a great team ahead of their semi-final clash on Tuesday.

While Messi and Co. overcame the Netherlands 4-3 on penalties, Croatia beat Brazil 4-2 in a shootout in the quarterfinals of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Messi provided the assist for the first goal for Argentina, scored by Nahuel Molina, and Matheus Acuna earned his country a penalty, which led to their second goal, scored by Messi.

The Netherlands, however, responded with two late goals from Wout Weghorst, who scored in the 83rd minute and in the 11th minute of injury time.

Argentina won 4-3 in the shootout setting up a semifinal clash with Croatia

And speaking after the match, Messi said, “Croatia showed that they are a great team."

“At times, they played on an equal footing with Brazil." "It is a team that has been working with the same coach for a long time, and they know each other very well.”

The last time both teams met in the World Cup, it ended 3-0 in favor of Zlatko Dalic’s Croatia side in the group stage of the 2018 FIFA World Cup.