Argentina’s clash with the Netherlands is one of the most attractive fixtures of the quarterfinal stage at the World Cup and fireworks are expected.
Lionel Messi’s crew is the favorite for the clash with bookmaker 10bet having the odds at 1.57 for an Argentina victory in the draw no bet market. The odds are at 2.50 for the Netherlands to triumph.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: December 8th, 10:00 A.M. (EST)
These two have a long history at the World Cup with this being their seventh-ever meeting and should Argentina do the business in 90 minutes Friday, it would be their first regulation-time win in the match-up. They have beaten the Dutch twice at the World Cup, but needed penalties to do it in the last meeting eight years ago and won 3-1 after extra time in the 1978 final.
Messi has previously made it past the quarterfinals just once at the World Cup and Friday’s failure would be a very bitter blow for him with this likely being the final World Cup for the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner. He will once again carry the weight of the whole nation on his shoulders Friday.
The Dutch have played a very conservative style at the World Cup and will likely look to shut the shop again. Messi can do wonders in tight spaces, but Louis van Gaal will definitely have a game plan to stop him. Argentina will need a big performance from the rest of the team as well. Could this be a revenge game for Angel Di Maria?
The veteran winger struggled under van Gaal at Manchester United and prior to Friday’s clash, he has called him his worst-ever manager. The Juventus man has struggled to perform this season due to injuries, but he should have all the motivation in the world to perform well Friday.
Van Gaal has an immense record to defend in the game. The team hasn’t lost any of its 19 games since he took charge for a third last year, and in fact, if you take into account only results after 90 minutes, the Netherlands have suffered just one loss from their last 48 matches played under van Gaal.
Oranje have been underwhelming in Qatar, but van Gaal is a highly experienced manager who knows how to win. Taking the World Cup crown before heading off to retirement would be very sweet for the 71-year-old and beating Argentina on Friday would be a massive step towards it.
