What: 2014 FIFA World Cup Semi-finals
Who: Netherlands vs Argentina
When: Wednesday 9th July, 2104, at 21:00 UK Time
Where: Arena de Sao Paolo, Sao Paolo, Brazil

Second Final in a Row

It seems as if it was only yesterday that Andres Iniesta’s strike in the dying minutes of extra-time awarded Spain their first ever World Cup victory at the expense of the Netherlands. Fast forward four years and the Dutch took their vengeance in their first game of the tournament – ironically against Spain – by battering the title holders 5-1 in what continues to be one of the most shocking moments of the tournament. Under pressure as he prepares to bid farewell to the national side and take-over of Manchester United, Louis van Gaal will want to make history by granting his players their first World Cup trophy. 

Any team would be excused for losing their cool against the likes of Angel di Maria, Gonzalo Higuain and Lionel Messi, but former Netherlands coach Bert van Marwijk – who guided his national side to the 2010 final – believes that his compatriot Arjen Robben is better than Messi.

“Argentina have got Messi, we’ve got Robben. And quite frankly, I think the better player is Arjen. When I see how Robben is playing in this tournament, I have to admit I’m a little bit jealous. There’s a big difference to 2010”, commented the coach.

Making History

While the Oranje will be pursuing their first triumph on the global stage, Argentina will be looking for their third World Cup and first trophy since 1986. The Biancoceleste have had their best tournament in years under the guidance of Lionel Messi, but will come up on Wednesday night against a very hard opponent in the form of the Netherlands, eager to make history themselves.

Alejandro Sabella’s side have hardly captured the fans’ hearts with their displays so far this tournament, winning by one-goal margins in their past three games. However, midfielder Javier Mascherano believes that he and his team-mates have what it takes to win the tournament.

“We’ve been fighting for this for so long and now we’ve [reached the semi-finals]. Of course we’re delighted, but we need to turn that into confidence and get our strength back quickly. We need to remember that we’re one match away from playing in a World Cup final and that we haven’t made history yet”, declared the Barcelona man. “This Dutch team have a lot of experience and they’re hungry for success after losing the final in 2010, so we’ll have to be on our guard. We’re excited and we feel strong. We know we can put in another good performance.”




Recent form 

Netherlands:
Netherlands 2-0 Chile (23/06; World Cup)
Netherlands 2-1 Mexico (29/06; World Cup)
Netherlands 0-0 Costa Rica; 4-3 on penalties (05/07; World Cup)

Argentina:
Nigeria 2-3 Argentina (25/06; World Cup)
Argentina 1-0 Switzerland (01/07; World Cup)
Argentina 1-0 Belgium (05/07; World Cup)

Players to watch

Netherlands – Arjen Robben: The fast winger will have the Argentina defence at his mercy as his adversaries try and cope with his lightning speed. The Bayern Munich man has been amongst the best players this tournament as he will be looking to guide the Netherlands to a second successive World Cup final.

Argentina – Lionel Messi: Messi’s detractors have always criticised the Barcelona man for his failures on the international stage with Argentina. The World Cup trophy is the only one missing from his cabinet in order to be truly considered as the best player of all time. He is just a few steps away from greatness.

 

 

 


Match Prediction

Messi and Di Maria aside, few of Argentina’s players have managed to be eye-catching in this tournament. Messi has managed to pull his side forward so far, but the Netherlands have been more collective in their play and have certainly been the better team of the two. It is this particular feat that will allow Van Gaal’s boys to continue their fairy tale into the final. Expect the Netherlands to progress.