FIFA World Cup 2022: Netherlands Vs Argentina | Preview | 9/12

Another Draw on the Cards

The Netherlands have now reached the last eight in four of their last five World Cup tournaments – the outlier being a last-16 elimination in 2006 – and they progressed to the semi-finals in both 2010 and 2014 before miserably failing to qualify for the Russia edition.

Not since 1994 have the 2010 runners-up failed to win a quarter-final match at the World Cup, and the Netherlands’ unbeaten streak in all competitions now stands at a whopping 19 matches, but something has to give when two attacking heavyweights battle for supremacy.

Argentina most recently progressed from the quarter-finals in 2014 en route to finishing as runners-up, but they had lost their last three ties in the last eight before that in 1998, 2006 and 2010, and their hopes of glory have ended at the hands of European teams nine times in a row since the inaugural 1930 edition.

History therefore does not favour Lionel Scaloni’s men, but a 13-game scoring streak in all competitions does, and La Albiceleste would do well to wrap Messi up in cotton wool as they attempt to end a barren streak in previous meetings with the Dutch.

Indeed, Argentina have failed to score in each of their last three matches versus the Netherlands, who have held La Albiceleste to two 0-0 draws in their most recent two World Cup meetings – winning the 2014 semi-final on spot kicks – but the last thing that the Qatar tournament needs is yet another goalless affair.

By Don't Play Play



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