Netherlands and Argentina are set to go head-to-head in an iconic World Cup quarter-final fixture at the Lusail Iconic Stadium on Friday evening.
The Dutch side will come into this fixture after they defeat United States 3-1 in the last 16. It was a dynamic team display with Memphis Depay, Daley Blind and Denzel Dumfries all getting on the scoresheet.
Argentina made their way to the quarter-finals after they edged out Australia 2-1. Lionel Messi once again produced some magic to score as did Manchester City forward Julian Alvarez. An own goal by Enzo Fernandez set up a nervy finish but the Argentines managed to hold off the Socceroos.
Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal: “We can become world champions. I am not saying that we will, but we can.
“I have been talking about this for over a year and I derive a lot of pleasure from working with these players.
“That said, I was very critical at halftime with my players even though we were two goals in the lead.
“We can improve on the transition and keeping possession, but I have to say they were fantastic goals. The team goal (does he mean by Depay or Blind) was a thing of beauty.
“We suffered so much as we were dispossessed so often early on and that is not acceptable at a World Cup. If you play top-notch countries it is not acceptable.
“Nonetheless, we were all very pleased at the end and it gives us incredible confidence. We will evaluate the match and then roll up our sleeves and work again. I cannot promise any more than that.
“Will our opponents change how they play against us after this? We will have to wait and see. I assume the stronger the country is the less they will adjust to our system. Team USA did not adjust and adapt and we based our plan on that.
“I do not expect France, Spain and Argentina to adapt either so we have big chances here.”
In the last four World Cup meetings between the two teams, both Netherlands and Argentina have claimed one win each, while the last two fixtures have ended in goalless draws.
Louis van Gaal and Lionel Scaloni will have their entire squad fit and ready for the encounter.
Cody Gakpo will be relishing to chance to get his name on the score sheet after he failed to find the back of the net for the first time after scoring in three straight matches.
Julian Alvarez has begun to find his form for Argentina after he scored in to consecutive matches against Poland and Australia, respectively.
Netherlands’ World Cup Form:
WDWW
Argentina’s World Cup Form:
LWWW