The Netherlands will meet Argentina in the quarterfinals in a rematch of the 1978 World Cup Final. Many fans and all of the players on both teams won’t be old enough to remember Argentina’s win on home soil over 44 years ago.
The Dutch go into the quarterfinal following a brilliant 3-1 win against the United States. Louis van Gaal’s tactics were spot on throughout the game, baiting the United States and hitting on the counter-attack.
Van Gaal is likely to make use of the same tactics on Friday against Argentina. The Netherlands topped Group A with two wins to nil and a 1-1 draw with Ecuador.
The Dutch didn’t second gear until coming up against the United States in the last 16. Van Gaal will need the team to hit the ground running on Friday.
Argentina’s shock 2-1 loss to Saudi Arabia on the opening day of Group C has been forgotten. But it really shouldn’t be overlooked.
Argentina have played well defensively, but there feels like something is still missing from the squad.
La Albiceleste defeated a spirited Australia 2-1 in the last 16 to reach the quarterfinals. Messi scored his third goal of the tournament as he continues to drag the team through it.
The Paris Saint-Germain man has been Argentina’s best player and the at times, the only squad member of value in the side.
The Netherlands will be Argentina’s first “real” test. Argentina may have played Poland in the group stage, but the Netherlands are on another level.
The Oranje are one of the top footballing sides in Europe, while Poland can be considered second tier.
Van Gaal has no fresh injury worries and will be able to use his first-choice XI. Memphis Depay and Cody Gakpo started in attack for the Dutch last time out.
It worked perfectly as Depay scored for the Netherlands. Van Gaal will again use a 3-4-1-2 formation.
Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni doesn’t have any injury issues either. He will use a 4-3-3 formation and is likely to start Julian Alvarez on the right side once more. Alvarez has two goals in the tournament after scoring versus Australia in the round of 16.
The Netherlands hold the head-to-head edge over Argentina with four wins, two draws, and three defeats. The Dutch should play well on Friday and hold Argentina to a draw at full-time. Extra time and penalties will be needed to sort out these football powerhouses.
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