South American heavyweights Argentina face off against the Netherlands for the right to play at the Maracana on July 13. Argentina beat Belgium in the quarter finals for their 5th consecutive one goal victory while the Netherlands needed penalties to defeat this year’s surprise package Costa Rica.
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After being accused of being over reliant of Lionel Messi, the Albiceleste have won their last two matches without the Barcelona superstar scoring but the team still revolves around him as he played a pivotal role in both Angel Di Maria’s goal in the Round of 16 as well as Gonzalo Higuain’s sweetly struck winner against Belgium. Nevertheless, the Argentine team played better in their last match and will look to build on that. Players like Di Maria, Higuain and Ezequiel Lavezzi improved immensely and will have to combine more consistently if they are to go on to win the World Cup. Strangely, the Argentina defense which has always been accused of being weak has conceded only four goals in five matches with three clean sheets. Martin Demichelis started the game last time out and performed brilliantly alongside Ezequiel Garay in the heart of defense. Argentina coach Alejandro Sabella will be looking to the duo to keep out the rampant Dutch attack led by Arjen Robben and Robin van Persie.
Netherlands eliminated Costa Rica in the quarter finals courtesy of a rather unusual move by Coach Louis van Gaal. The Manchester United-bound manager replaced his starting goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen with Tim Krul for the penalty shootout and the move paid off with Krul saving two spot kicks to send his team to this stage. Strangely, the Newcastle United goalkeeper had saved only two of the last 20 penalty kicks he faced in the English Premiership. However, it is the attack that needs a boost this time around as the attacking trio of Memphis Depay, Arjen Robben and Robin van Persie failed to score despite carving open their opponents numerous times over 120 minutes. The Dutch survived simply because the opposition also failed to score.
TEAM NEWS
Argentina coach Alejandro Sabella has both bad news and good news. The bad news is that Angel Di Maria may miss the match due to injury problems while the good news is that Manchester City talisman Sergio Aguero could play some part in tomorrow’s fixture. In defense, Martin Demichelis is expected to start again after impressing against Belgium.
For the Dutch, Ajax goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen is expected to be back between the sticks with the defensive trio of Ron Vlaar, Stefan De Vrij and Bruno Martins Indi forming the defensive screen in front of him while Daley Blind and Dirk Kuyt continue as wingbacks.
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Probable Lineups
Argentina (4-3-3): Romero; Rojo, Garay, Demichelis, Zabaleta; Mascherano, Gago, Rodriguez; Lavezzi, Higuain, Messi
Netherlands (3-5-2): Cillessen; Vlaar, De Vrij, Martins Indi; Blind, Wijnaldum, Sneidjer, Clasie, Kuyt; Van Persie, Robben
PREDICTION
This is a very tricky match to call as you never know which Argentina stars might turn up, neither do we know the next scheming move that Van Gaal has planned. I think I’ll just plump for a Dutch victory.
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