Netherlands vs Argentina: A tantalizing tactical battle in store

Familiar foes Netherlands and Argentina will meet up once again as the quarter-finals of the 2022 FIFA World Cup gets underway. The Oranje and La Albiceleste come into this game having successfully beaten the USA and Australia 3-1 and 2-1 respectively, and Friday’s meeting will be the sixth such event at a World Cup.

The Netherlands, currently under the guidance of Louis van Gaal for the third time, are kicking into gear at just the right time, and are unbeaten in their last 19 games across all comps. Their last loss was well over a year ago, back on June 27th when they were shockingly beaten 2-0 by the Czech Republic during the EURO 2020 round of 16. While Argentina, thanks to the presence of none other than Lionel Messi, are always viewed as the favorites in any clash, the Netherlands do have an excellent track record against Argentina, with just one loss in their last nine meetings across all competitions.

That defeat was during the 1978 World Cup final, and while it was well before any of the players currently featuring for the team were even born, certainly several will remember the 2014 World Cup semi-final, which finished as a draw, but ultimately resulted in a penalty shoot-out defeat as Argentina went on to that year’s final. The Netherlands will also be encouraged by the fact that they have won their last three World Cup quarter-finals matches, as opposed to Argentina, who have been eliminated from three of their last four ties at this stage.

Young striker Cody Gakpo wasn’t able to set a new Dutch record last time out during his team’s win over the USA, but van Gaal will certainly be pleased with the fact that Memphis Depay is now fully fit after coming into this competition carrying an injury. In addition, a flu outbreak that had started to make its way through the Netherlands camp appears not to have had the devastating impact many had feared, as the Netherlands were fully in control of their 3-1 victory over a younger and less experienced USA side.

Despite his struggles to secure regular first team football at Barcelona due to Robert Lewandowski’s arrival, Depay has been a real force to be reckoned with for the Netherlands, with a whopping 24 goals (and ten assists) in his last 30 appearances for the Oranje, and he will certainly be keen on getting involved as his team hope to book their spot in the semi-finals.

Meanwhile, van Gaal is on the cusp of making history. The win over the USA marks the 11th World Cup unbeaten matchfor the veteran tactician, and if he can avoid a loss to Argentina on Friday, he will pull level with Luiz Felipe Scolari, who went 12 games sans defeat back in the noughties.

Meanwhile, Argentina, who had a rocky start to this World Cup after losing their opening match 2-1 to Saudi Arabia, now appear to be kicking into gear at just the right time. Messi was at his brilliant best during their recent 2-1 win over Australia, and Argentina looked largely comfortable and assured throughout. Manager Lionel Scaloni was not able to call on veteran winger Angel Di Maria for that match, as the Juventus player was struggling with another injury, but the former Real Madrid and PSG man is hopeful to be involved in Friday’s game.

Argentina do have a frustrating record when it comes to playing European sides in the knockout rounds. All nine of their prior eliminations at this stage have been as a result of playing a European team, and that includes four years ago when they were beaten 4-3 by eventual winners France in the round of 16. But of course, with a player like Messi in their squad, one will not want to bet against them finally ending that hoodoo on Friday.

Messi, who found the back of the net in his 1,000th career match on Saturday, has scored nine World Cup goals for Argentina since making his debut in 2006. He only needs one more to top the ten established by the iconic Gabriel Batistuta, and given that he has scored three already, one would probably not bet against him matching that record on Friday.

But will Messi be able to inspire his side past a Netherlands side that are also growing in form and confidence as this tournament progresses? We will know soon enough – whether it be via regular time, extra time, or penalties – this Friday.