Argentina vs. Netherlands | Kickoff: 7/7, 4 p.m. ET | Stadium: Corinthians, Sao Paulo
Match Preview: Entering Wednesday's semifinal, Argentina has a chance to return to the World Cup finals for the first time since 1990, having already surpassed the quarterfinals stage where its campaign was halted in three of the last four tournaments. It will face the Netherlands, whom it famously dispatched in the 1978 finals, 3-1.
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Argentina will certainly be without Angel Di Maria (leads his team with 25 shots), who injured his right thigh in the first half against Belgium. Di Maria's absence leaves Messi even more vulnerable to ceaseless man-marking from the Dutch side. Striker Sergio Aguero should return from an injury to his thigh, and perhaps we might see Maxi Rodriguez in place of Di Maria, but needless to say, this puts more pressure on Messi to elude defenders, attack in tight areas, and faciliate.
Both teams are without a key piece to their midfield, although the respective effects will be vastly different. Nigel de Jong has long been the Dutch team's bruiser, a tough tackler who shores up the defense and disrupts the other team's play — often by any means necessary. His absence because of a groin injury will likely give Lionel Messi more room to maneuver, which could easily prove decisive. Another problem for the Dutch is that Wesley Sneijder — one of the best players at the 2010 World Cup — has looked well past his prime in Brazil.
The one thing neither team lacks is motivation. This is Argentina’s first trip to the semifinals since 1990 while the Dutch are still bitter after coming oh-so close four years ago.
PREDICTION
ARGENTINA 1 - NETHERLANDS 0 (EXTRA TIME)
Argentina’s biggest problem early on was letting opponents hang around until too late, and it will pay dearly if it tries that against the Netherlands. The Dutch like to start fast so they can set the tempo for the game, and Argentina will be playing catch-up the whole night if it doesn’t respond immediately. A couple of early chances from Messi will even things out.
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