World Cup 2022 - Netherlands vs Argentina: sixth meeting, six duels to watch
World Cup, Netherlands vs Argentina: sixth meeting, 6 duels to watch. On the touchline, in goal, in defence, in midfield and in attack.
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Netherlands v Argentina is a World Cup classic. The two nations meet in the quarter-final on Friday 9 December (19:00 GMT), for the sixth time at the World Cup. It is the third most frequently played fixture in the tournament's history, behind Brazil-Sweden and Argentina-Germany (7 times).
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The Albiceleste or the Oranjes are after a place in a semi-final against Brazil or Croatia. On top of that, almost incidentally, the winners will take the lead in the Argentina-Netherlands head-to-head at the most prestigious tournament in football. The balance is perfect to date: two wins for each side and one draw in five matches.
The last time Argentina and the Netherlands met at a World Cup was in 2014 in Brazil. The Argentines won on penalties (4-2) after 120 minutes of a dull, flavourless match. Given what is at stake, another slog to the bitter end is possible tonight. But let's keep our fingers crossed and hope for fireworks at Lusail Stadium. With the six duels in prospect in this match (see below), there is reason for hope.
1. Messi-Gakpo
Joint second (3 goals in 4 matches) in the 2022 World Cup scoring charts, one of the two will stay in the race while the other heads home. This sixth Netherlands v Argentina meeting will in any case be a chance for the PSG forward and the PSV Eindhoven forward to add to their tallies.
2. Messi-Van Dijk
When the best player in the world goes up against one of the best defenders on the planet, there should normally be sparks. The Argentine forward has the ability to beat his marker, even in tight spaces, helped by a low centre of gravity and exceptional footwork. The Liverpool defender makes up for his relative lack of pace with a sharp sense of positioning and unshakeable composure (which sometimes plays tricks on him).
3. Van Gaal-Scolani
Image recovered from a public archive captured on 09/12/2022. The archived file is verified; the current source is unavailable. View archived capture
On the left, the oldest head coach at the World Cup; on the right, the youngest. Louis van Gaal (71) is in charge of the Oranjes for the last time before handing over for good. That was planned. He will want to add to a roll of honour that is huge at club level with a World Cup showing. Lionel Scolani (44), for his part, is looking to write his name among Argentina's great coaches. There is nothing better than a new world title, something the country has been chasing since 1990.
4. De Jong-Mac Allister
They are not the ones most in the spotlight, but their work behind the scenes lights up their respective national teams. The first has long been a key man for the Oranjes. The Barcelona midfielder sets the tempo for his team, drives the changes of rhythm and helps win the ball back. The second is a newcomer. The Brighton player was not supposed to be on the trip to Qatar. He benefited from Lo Celso's injury. And another twist of fate pushed him into Scolani's first-choice XI: the Albiceleste's defeat (1-2) against Saudi Arabia. A starter in the next three matches, he can create danger and draw the opposition towards him to open up huge gaps for Lionel Messi. He opened the scoring in the win (2-0) against Poland.
5. Dumfries-L. Martinez
They may greet each other in the tunnel. After that, the Argentine forward should settle on the bench while the Dutch right-back will be in position at kick-off in Netherlands v Argentina. For this duel between Inter Milan team-mates to happen, Lautaro Martinez will have to come on during the game; he has not started since the win (2-0) against Mexico (matchday 2). Unless Scolani shuffles the pack.
6. Noppert-E. Martinez
Image recovered from a public archive captured on 09/12/2022. The archived file is verified; the current source is unavailable. View archived capture
They will wage a battle of the goalkeepers over normal time and any extra time. Their performances could prove decisive for the outcome of the second quarter-final of the World Cup. They will matter even more if it goes to a penalty shoot-out. As in the last meeting between the two teams at the World Cup. That was in 2014, in Brazil. After a flavourless 0-0, Lionel Messi and co reached the final (lost 0-1 to Germany, a.e.t.) thanks to the fateful shoot-out (4-2).
The Editorial Team – Sport News Africa