Croatia manager Zlatko Dalic has cranked up the mind games as they prepare to take on Argentina at the World Cup.

The finalists from 2018 take on Lionel Messi and his teammates on Tuesday in the first semi final in Qatar.

Dalic stated that if they were to win the game, it would be a better achievement than beating England at this stage four years ago.

Dalic said to reporters: “We are playing the great Argentina, a terrific team led by Lionel Messi, they are highly-motivated but under more pressure than Croatia at this moment in time.

“They have more support than us and that is a handicap to us but they are under greater pressure than us."

He added: “The semi final-match against England in the last World Cup was the greatest match of all time, the game against Brazil (in the quarter-finals here) comes in second. If we win against Argentina, that would make it the greatest historical game for Croatia of all time.

“It is one of the most important, most significant matches for us - after just four years, to repeat the success would be such an achievement on the world stage. To do it with a new national team is fantastic and I believe it is a great success."