Kick-off: 1900, 09/12/2022
Stadium: Lusail Iconic Stadium
TV: BBC1
Netherlands and Argentina are both incredibly-well organised teams and their quarter-final clash could develop into a tactical battle.
These nations have met five times before in World Cup tournaments, with La Albiceleste coming out on top after extra-time in the 1978 final.
The South Americans prevailed on penalties in the 2014 semis, while one of their group-stage encounters ended in stalemate and another was only settled in injury-time.
In short, it is usually tight when this pair get together and 11/5 for extra-time to be required again is our first Netherlands vs Argentina prediction.
Netherlands Odds
Holland topped Group A in a professional manner, posting 2-0 wins over Senegal and Qatar either side of a 1-1 draw with Ecuador.
Louis van Gaal attracted some negative press for what were perceived as boring tactics and it would be fair to say that the Dutch weren’t exciting to watch.
However, the 71-year-old is too experienced to let anything like that bother him and a 3-1 victory over USA in the round of 16 was achieved with little fuss.
The Dutch were on the back foot for much of the opening period but went into half-time 2-0 up thanks to fine goals from Memphis Depay and Daley Blind.
Haji Wright pulled one back for the USA late on but Denzel Dumfries struck a third for Netherlands to prevent a nervy finish.
Van Gaal commented: “In the first half, we were dispossessed so much and it was not necessary. That’s simply not acceptable at a World Cup.
“If you play top-notch countries, you simply can’t make those mistakes. In the second half, they did a much better job, even though we scored fewer goals.
“Nonetheless, we were all very, very pleased and it gives us incredible confidence. I think we have big chances here.
“We still have three matches to go, but I’ve been talking about this for a year that we can become world champions.”
Van Gaal was in charge eight years ago when these teams played out a goalless stalemate in the Brazil 2014 semis, before losing the shoot-out.
Looking at the Netherlands vs Argentina odds, it is 27/20 for no goals in the first half of this contest.
Argentina Odds
Lionel Messi was at his mercurial best as Argentina secured a 2-1 success over Australia which was more comfortable than the end result suggests.
Messi marked his 1,000th senior appearance with a neat opening strike on 35 minutes and Julian Alvarez pounced on a goalkeeping error to double the advantage after half-time.
The plucky Socceroos pulled one back when a long-range shot deflected in off the luckless Enzo Fernandez but La Albiceleste held firm in front of their army of fans.
Those supporters created an electric atmosphere at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium and Messi said: “These are amazing feelings. I’m really happy to share this beautiful moment with them all.
“The whole of Argentina would like to be here, but it’s not possible. I think there’s this bond that we have, this union, which is something beautiful.
“It’s unbelievable what they transmit; the passion, their energy, their joy – and we’re very thankful. It’s unbelievable.”
Argentina fans can get a bwin price boost of 11/4 for Messi to score in a victory here!
La Albiceleste were grateful for a superb last-ditch tackle from defender Lisandro Martinez to deny Australia’s Aziz Behich, plus a vital save by Emiliano Martinez from Garang Kuol.
That fighting spirit has served them well since starting out with a shock loss to Saudi Arabia in Group C, with Mexico and Poland then beaten 2-0.
In a match where one moment of magic could prove crucial, it certainly helps to have Messi, who looks full of fire at the age of 35 in what will be his last World Cup.
Even so, we’re sticking with the view that this tie will go all the way, so 17/5 for a draw at half-time and full-time is another Netherlands vs Argentina prediction.
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