Argentina will play the Netherlands on Friday in a thrilling quarterfinal matchup for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Argentina and the Netherlands qualified for the 2022 FIFA World Cup’s round of 16 by finishing at the top of their respective groups. Following that, Louis van Gaal’s team put on their calmest performance yet, defeating the USA 3-1 on Saturday to advance to the quarterfinals.
In the meantime, Argentina defeated Australia 2-1 in their round of 16 matches after surviving a last-minute scare. Before Julian Alvarez increased La Albiceleste’s lead, Lionel Messi scored the first goal. Australia had a glimmer of hope in the final minute thanks to an own goal by Enzo Fernandez, but they were unable to capitalize on it.
We anticipate a cracker of a contest when Argentina and the Netherlands square off. We believe that Argentina will defeat the Netherlands tonight, despite the fact that it is difficult to predict which way this one will go.
Let’s look at five reasons why Argentina will defeat the Netherlands without further ado.
#5 Argentina’s midfielders are in excellent form
After a shocking 2-1 loss to Saudi Arabia in their World Cup opener, Argentina has won their next three games. They had a lot of possession and made most of their chances, especially in their last two games against Australia and Poland.
Argentine midfielders Rodrigo De Paul, Enzo Fernandes, and Alexis Mac Allister have been crucial to Scaloni’s team’s recent improvement. In the middle of the field, all three have been tenacious, not only keeping the ball in their possession but also winning it back.
Although the Netherlands’ midfield has performed admirably, they may have to catch up to their Argentine counterparts on Friday.
In the matchup with the United States, the Netherlands had just 41% possession. It won’t be much different against Argentina, who have dominated possession in every World Cup match so far.
#4 This is the Netherlands’ first real test of the tournament
The Netherlands has not yet faced a team that is truly at their level at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, making this their first real test of the tournament. They have faced considerably less formidable opposition. They prevailed over a group that included Qatar, Senegal, and Ecuador.
The Dutchmen beat the USA in the round of 16. Argentina, on the other hand, appeared at ease against Poland and Mexico in previous matches. As a result, they should be more prepared than Van Gaal’s team for the quarterfinal match.
#3 Emiliano Martinez gives Argentina an advantage in penalty shootouts
It’s important to note that Argentina and the Netherlands finished 0-0 in their previous World Cup encounters, in 2006 and 2014. Argentina won the penalty shootout to advance to the championship match in 2014.
Although this match is unlikely to end goalless, it wouldn’t be out of the question if the two teams couldn’t be separated after 90 minutes. After all, the two teams appeared to be evenly matched on paper.
However, Argentina will win if the match goes to penalties. Emiliano Martinez, the goalkeeper for La Albiceleste, has shown that he is tough in shootouts, as demonstrated by his excellent performance in the 2021 Copa America.
#2 The depth of Argentina’s team gives them an advantage
Fatigue becomes a factor as a team enters a tournament deeper. Particularly in the knockout stages, where games may go to extra time, teams will be forced to rely heavily on substitutes.
Argentina’s seat strength is a lot more noteworthy than that of the Netherlands. Paulo Dybala, Lautaro Martinez, Lisandro Martinez, and Leandro Paredes are among the players who can come off the bench and have an impact on the game.
Van Gaal also has bench options, but they are not as good as Argentina’s.
#1 Lionel Messi’s performance
So far at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Messi has undoubtedly been one of the best players. Messi has three goals and one assist in four tournament appearances, despite missing a penalty in the game against Poland.
In matches against Mexico and Australia, Messi has performed admirably. In the round-of-16 matchup against the Australians, the 35-year-old also displayed his exquisite dribbling abilities and appeared capable of winning the game on his own.
Messi looks like a man on a mission at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, and his goal against Graham Arnold’s team oozed class. The Netherlands will need to outdo themselves to stop him, as his incredible creativity and technical skill will be crucial to Argentina’s attack once more.