Argentina versus the Netherlands brings back memories of big football games. It’s that time again at the World Cup in Qatar, in the quarter-finals this Friday (8:00 p.m.) in the Lusail Stadium.
There have already been five World Cup matches between the sky blue and whites and Oranje, only one of them in the group stage, in 2006 – Lionel Messi’s first World Cup starting XI appearance in the Argentine national team.
World Cup matches between Argentina and the Netherlands:
World Cup 1974 in Germany, June 26, Parkstadion Gelsenkirchen: Argentina received a nasty smack. In the second round, the Dutch team with players like Johan Cruyff, Johan Neeskens or Arie Haan and coach Rinus Michels beat Argentina 4-0. Cruyff scored two goals. The Netherlands only lose to hosts Germany in the final, Argentina are eliminated in the second round.
1978 World Cup in Argentina, June 25, El Monumental stadium, Buenos Aires: Argentina beat the Netherlands 3-1 in the final after extra time and celebrated their first World Cup title at the politically highly controversial home World Cup. It’s 1-1 after 90 minutes. Superstar Mario Kempes, the only European legionnaire in the squad, scored two goals in the game for the team of Argentinian coaching icon César Luis Menotti.
Dennis Bergkamp shows his class
World Cup 1998 in France, July 4, Stade Vélodrome, Marseille: The Netherlands, with players like Patrick Kluivert and Dennis Bergkamp, win 2-1 in the quarter-finals. The decision in another thrilling duel came late: Argentina’s Ariel Ortega saw the red card in the 87th minute, and Bergkamp showed his skills in the 90th minute. After a long pass from Frank de Boer from his own half into the Argentine penalty area, Bergkamp plucked the ball out of the air with the utmost sensitivity, duped his opponent and flicked his outside instep into the far corner. The Dutch lost the semifinals to Brazil on penalties.
No goals in the last two matches
World Cup 2006 in Germany, June 21st, Arena Frankfurt: A clean sheet in the group final. Both teams are already confirmed as round of 16. Not a big spectacle, but Messi’s first World Cup starting XI appearance. The Netherlands were then eliminated by Portugal in the round of 16, Argentina defeated Mexico in the first knockout round after extra time but lost to Germany on penalties in the quarter-finals. The game against the Netherlands will remain Messi’s only game from the start at the 2006 World Cup.
World Cup 2014 in Brazil, July 9th, Neo Quimica Arena, São Paulo: It’s about reaching the World Cup final in Rio. It won’t be a cracker game, but it will be crackingly exciting. It’s 0-0 again after 90 minutes. But this time a winner is needed. Extra time: goalless. Argentina prevail on penalties and Messi is in the final for the first time with the Albiceleste. It is lost 0-1 against Germany in extra time.