Netherlands and Argentina meet in the World Cup semi-finals on Wednesday for the right to face Germany in the final.
After Brazil's 7-1 humiliation by the ruthless Germans on Tuesday night in front of a devastated home crowd at Belo Horizonte, perhaps Louis van Gaal's Dutch high-fliers and Alejandro Sabella's stuttering Argentina side can cheer up the hosts in Sao Paulo.
These two teams haven't faced each other for eight years since the drab 0-0 draw at the 2006 World Cup - but both bosses are sniffing a final and will be confident despite injury concerns.
Argentina, looking to repeat their victory over the same opponents in the 1978 final (the only time they have beaten the Dutch in eight meetings in all competitions), are missing Real Madrid midfielder Angel Di Maria (thigh) although there is better news over striker Sergio Aguero.
Opta facts
- These teams have met four times in the World Cup, with Netherlands winning twice and Argentina once, with one draw.
- Argentina’s victory, in the 1978 final, is their only win against Netherlands in eight meetings overall (L4 D3).
- 10 of the Netherlands’ 12 goals in this tournament have come after half-time.
- Lionel Messi (29), Arjen Robben and Angel Di María (both 25) are the players with most completed dribbles in this tournament.
Benfica’s Enzo Perez or former Liverpool winger Maxi Rodriguez are likely to get the nod and, of course, all Argentine fans will be praying Lionel Messi still has some power left in his magic wand.
Messi proved against the Belgians in the quarter-finals that perhaps they are a one-man team. "He was our water in the desert," said coach Sabella. "When the terrain was dry, he, once again, gave us a chance to breathe fresh air."
Belgium boss Marc Wilmots may have described them as "ordinary" but perhaps the signs are there this could be their time as they prepare for their first World Cup semi-final for 24 years.
This match falls on July 9 - Independence Day in Argentina - and maybe the memory of Argentina-born forward Alfredo Di Stefano, who died this this week, will spur them to glory.
However, they face a Dutch team who are on a roll. Captain and all-time top scorer Robin van Persie may be a doubt with a stomach bug but in Louis Van Gaal they have a coach who possesses the tactical brain to overcome the South Americans.
Forward Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, who came off the bench to destroy the Mexicans, is not a bad man to have for a plan B and Van Gaal will be also buoyed with the sight of midfield enforcer Nigel de Jong training on Tuesday.
Ed Draper is joined by Jamie Redknapp as they preview the World Cup semi-final between Holland and Argentina.
Van Gaal said the AC Milan midfielder would be checked on Wednesday for possible adverse reactions to his session, "and if they are such that he can play then a miracle will have happened".
Defender Ron Vlaar and midfielder Leroy Fer also look set to recover from knocks, but it would seem that whatever troubles are thrown at the Dutch, the cool Van Gaal always has a contingency plan.
Van Gaal, who has switched between a defensive 5-3-2 system and traditional Dutch attacking 4-3-3 formation, as well as moving striker Dirk Kuyt to wing back, played down his team's chances and admitted Messi would have to be shackled.
The former Barcelona and Bayern Munich coach said: "I don't think there's a favourite. In the semi-finals, the teams are each other's equals.
Written by Unknown
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