Netherlands vs Argentina – Quarter-Final – Preview & Prediction | 2022 FIFA World Cup
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THE FACTS
When is Netherlands vs Argentina on and what time does it start? Netherlands vs Argentina will take place on Friday 9th December, 2022 – 19:00 (UK)
Where is Netherlands vs Argentina taking place? Netherlands vs Argentina will take place at Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar
Where can I get tickets for Netherlands vs Argentina? Visit this link for the latest ticket information for Netherlands vs Argentina
What channel is Netherlands vs Argentina on in the UK? Netherlands vs Argentina will be televised live on BBC / Netherlands vs Argentina will be televised live on ITV
Where can I stream Netherlands vs Argentina in the UK? Netherlands vs Argentina can be streamed live on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website & app / Netherlands vs Argentina can be streamed live on the ITV Hub
THE LOWDOWN
NETHERLANDS
- Netherlands put together arguably their best performance of the tournament so far in the round of 16, certainly from an attacking perspective as they overcame United States by three goals to one.
- Memphis Depay looks to have hit his stride at just the right time for Netherlands after coming into the competition injured, starting his second consecutive game and scoring his first goal against United States, whilst right-back Jeremie Frimpong’s involvement could be limited due to his ankle injury sustained in training.
ARGENTINA
- Argentina’s dream of a third World Cup title remains on track after beating Australia 2-1 to book this quarter-final showdown, with Lionel Messi once again putting in a Player of the Match performance on his 1000th career appearance, scoring the opening goal to set his country on their way.
- Angel Di Maria was not named in the starting line-up in the round of 16 and did not feature from the bench due to an injury, but stands a strong chance of being passed fit to return here.
THE TEAM NEWS
NETHERLANDS
PREDICTED XI (3-5-2): Noppert; Timber, Van Dijk, Ake; Dumfries, Koopmeiners, Klaassen, de Jong, Blind; Gakpo, Depay
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE: Frimpong (Injured)
ARGENTINA
PREDICTED XI (4-3-3): Martinez; Molina, Romero, Otamendi, Acuna; De Paul, Fernandez, Mac Allister; Di Maria, Messi, Alvarez
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE: Di Maria (Injured)
THE KEY STATS
- This is the sixth World Cup match between the Netherlands and Argentina. Although the Dutch have won two matches to Argentina’s one, the most recent their two draws did result in a victory for Argentina via a penalty shoot-out (2014 semi-finals)
- The last two World Cup matches between the Netherlands and Argentina finished without a goal being scored (2006 group stage and 2014 semi-finals)
- Two of the previous three World Cup knockout stage matches between the Netherlands and Argentina went into extra-time
- The Netherlands have not lost in their last 11 FIFA World Cup matches (W8 D3) – all with Louis van Gaal as coach. This is their longest unbeaten run in the history of the competition.
- The Netherlands are unbeaten in their last 19 international matches (W14 D5); all since Louis van Gaal was appointed head coach in August 2021.
- The Netherlands are unbeaten in their last 20 FIFA World Cup matches against non-European opponents (W14 D6), with their last defeat dating back to the quarter-final against Brazil in 1994.
- The Netherlands have won their last 15 World Cup matches in which they have scored two or more goals. since a 2-2 draw with Mexico in the group stage in 1998
- The Netherlands have been successful in each of their last three World Cup quarter final ties, including a 2-1 win against Argentina in 1998
- This is the Netherland’s fifth World Cup quarter-final and their fourth against South American opposition (Brazil in 1994 and 2010; Argentina in 1998 and 2002)
- The Netherlands have scored the first goal in each of their previous four matches at Qatar 2022
- Excluding penalty shoot-outs, the Netherlands have lost only two of their previous 15 World Cup matches against South American opposition (W8 D5)
- The Netherlands have been successful in four of their last six World Cup knockout stage ties against South American nations
- This is Argentina’s eighth FIFA World Cup quarter-final, each time they have faced European opposition
- Argentina have been successful in three of their previous seven World Cup quarter-final ties
- Argentina have lost only one of their last 40 international matches (W28 D11)
- Against Australia, Lionel Messi played his 23rd FIFA World Cup match; joint-third on the all-time list alongside Paolo Maldini (23), and only behind Miroslav Klose (24) and Lothar Matthäus (25)
- Lionel Messi has scored nine World Cup goals and is now only one behind Gabriel Batistuta (10) who is Argentina’s all-time top goalscorer in the competition
- Argentina have scored the first goal in each of their previous four matches at Qatar 2022
- Seven of Argentina’s last 13 World Cup knockout stage matches against European nations have required extra-time
THE PREDICTION
The battle between Lionel Messi of Argentina and Virgil van Dijk of Netherlands, the irresistible force vs the immovable object is a mouth-watering prospect and the winner of this battle will likely go a long way towards deciding the outcome of this match. Argentina have not been free-scoring across the tournament so far with a large reliance upon Messi to either create key chances or to score himself and they face a Netherlands team who will be extremely well-organised defensively under Louis van Gaal, who will no doubt have a plan as to how they can counter their opponents. With so much at stake and both teams preferring to retain possession whenever possible, neither are likely to give much away and this may lead to a low-scoring quarter-final. Backing under 2.5 goals to be scored over 90 minutes should be seriously considered.
TIP: UNDER 2.5 GOALS
