Qatar World Cup 2022 Netherlands vs Argentina – prediction, team news, lineups, starting XI
The final quarter-final Friday match sees the Netherlands battle Argentina at the Lusail Iconic Stadium (19:00) for a spot in the semis.
The Netherlands easily fought off the USA to book a spot in the last eight, while Argentina beat Australia 2-1 to keep their hopes of lifting the World Cup alive.
The Netherlands beat the USA 3-1 with the team’s wing-backs showing off their scoring prowess in the last-16 battle. The Oranje taught the Americans a lesson in ruthlessness to make it to the last 16 for the third time in a row.
In both 2010 and 2014, the Netherlands progressed to the semi-finals but they failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
The Netherlands are on a 19-match unbeaten streak in all competitions but this could easily be flipped on its head against Messi’s Argentina.
Argentina’s route to the quarter-finals saw Lionel Messi score his first non-group stage World Cup goal against Australia – which proved to be a tougher match than expected.
Football superstar Messi found the back of the net with a low finish before Julian Alvarez gave Argentina two and a deflected strike gave Australia a goal.
Australia almost equalised as teenager Garang Kuol got a shot off in the final few seconds but Emiliano Martinez produced a vital save to send Argentina through – in a somewhat nervous fashion.
In 2014, Argentina finished as runners-up but the team had lost their last three ties in the last eight before that (1998, 2006 and 2010) and their dreams of World Cup glory have ended a the hands of European teams nine times in a row since 1930.
History does not favour Argentina, but they are on a 13-game scoring streak in all competitions.
Argentina have failed to score in each of their last three matches against the Netherlands.
The Netherlands team news
The Netherlands’ manager Louis van Gaal should have a fully fit squad for the Friday night match.
Centre-back Stefan de Vrij did not train on Sunday due to discomfort but he has since returned to the group – but Jurrien Timber, Virgil van Dijk and Nathan Ake are likely to start.
Depay should start with Gakpo in the unchanged Dutch XI.
Argentina team news
Attacker Papu Gomez came off in the 50th minute against Australia due to a sprained ankle and is a doubt for the rest of the World Cup. But Angel Di Maria should be fit to replace him.
The team have no other injury concerns and boss Scaloni will likely keep faith in the centre-back pairing of Cristian Romero and Nicolas Otamendi which should remain as it is despite constant pressure from Lisandro Martinez.
Angel Correa and Leandro Paredes will likely start on the benches as Di Maria and Enzo Fernandez are expected to start the match.
Netherlands possible starting lineup:
Noppert; Timber, Van Dijk, Ake; Dumfries, De Jong, De Roon, Blind; Klaassen; Gakpo, Depay
Argentina possible starting lineup:
Martinez; Molina, Romero, Otamendi, Acuna; Fernandez, De Paul, Mac Allister; Di Maria, Messi, Alvarez
Predictions
The footballing gods should not deliver another drab 0-0 with so much offensive talent on the Lusail field and the Dutch’s penchant for lightning-quick counter-attacks, and both sides also possess a slight vulnerability to suggest that a high-scoring affair should be on the menu.
Stalemates between the Netherlands and Argentina have been commonplace at the World Cup, and we do not expect that theme to change here, so Scaloni’s side may have to rely on their penalty-kick prowess to set up a semi-final clash with Croatia or Brazil. Netherlands 2-2 Argentina (a.e.t, Argentina to win on penalties) – (SportsMole)
The style of this Dutch team has been chastised as “boring” back home – much to Van Gaal’s chagrin – but it has earned results. Against the US, the 71-year-old tactician identified a weakness – the space they offer down the flanks – and ruthlessly exploited it; both wingbacks scored and created goals.
Van Gaal hinted that Argentina’s greatest strength – Lionel Messi – may also be the weakness that the Netherlands target, describing Messi’s lack of defensive output as “where our chances lie”.
When these nations met in the semi-finals eight years ago, Van Gaal’s side played a very similar system centred on suffering (for opponents and spectators) and Messi was the beating heart of everything good that spluttered out of Argentina.
Messi and co prevailed on penalties after 120 goalless minutes in Sao Paulo and may have the edge in another tight encounter which could swing either way. Netherlands 0-1 Argentina – (90 Min)
Both teams are likely to put on one heck of a performance – and with Messi up front, Argentina looks the clear favourite. But it will be a tough game, Virgil van Dijk marshalls a tough defensive line and it’s perhaps not as clear cut as we want to believe. Ultimately, Messi’s Argentina believes they are the most likely to progress and we happen to agree. Netherlands 1-2 Argentina – (WTX Sport)
