Argentina fans scramble for tickets in Doha ahead of Croatia semi-final

Just hours before the start of the first World Cup semifinal between Argentina and Croatia, many fans were still scrambling for a last-minute ticket to the big game tonight (11 pm UAE time) at the iconic Lusail Stadium in Qatar.

Two-time world champions Argentina will take on 2018 World Cup runners-up Croatia for a place in the final.

Many ticketless fans still turned up at the DECC, the main ticket centre in Doha, hoping for a last-minute miracle.

"I came here in the morning, hoping to get a ticket for the semifinal tonight. I have watched all other Argentina games, but I don't have tickets for this one. Can you help me, please?" Ezequiel, an Argentina fan who has travelled from Buenos Aires, asked this reporter.

When he came to know I was a journalist, Ezequiel refused to speak more.

Leandro, another Argentina fan, has the same story.

Meanwhile, Wahid, a UAE-based Iranian, was among the many fans draped in Argentina colours looking for a semifinal ticket.

"I am from Iran, but I live in Sharjah. I watched all Iran and Argentina matches, but I don't have tickets for the match today," Wahid told this reporter.

"I don't want to miss this match. I have been a Maradona and Argentina fan since 1994. That's why I have come to DECC for a ticket."

But a volunteer at the DECC informed this reporter that all the remaining matches (two semifinals, third-place match and the final) have been sold out.

"They are just wasting their time here. We can't help them," she said.