Image copyright: Getty Images
2022 FIFA World Cup
Quarter-finals
Netherlands v Argentina
Lusail Iconic Stadium
Lusail, Qatar
Friday, 9 December 2022
Kick-off is at 21h00
Netherlands will be out to avenge their defeat to Argentina at the 2014
World Cup when they meet in the quarter-finals of the 2022 edition on Friday, December 9.
The Oranje were eliminated on penalties in the semi-finals eight years ago in Brazil as they eventually finished third, having made it to the final in 2010 when they lost to Spain.
Louis van Gaal was in charge of the national team during their exploits in 2014 and he returned for a third spell last year to lead them to Qatar after missing out in Russia.
The Dutch remain undefeated in the tournament after beating the United States 3-1 in the last 16 on Saturday, with first-half goals from Memphis Depay (10') and Daley Blind (45 +1') putting them in command at the break before Denzel Dumfries (81') sealed the win.
Van Gaal revealed he was not happy with the performance of his players in the first half but the result will give them confidence for the clash with the South American champions.
"I was very critical in half-time of my analysis that I share with my players despite that we were in the lead 2-0. I think they were fantastic goals. One of these was really a team goal.
"But in the first half we were dispossessed so often and it was not necessary. And that's not acceptable at a World Cup.
"In the second half they did a better job even though we made fewer goals. Overall we're very pleased and it gives us incredible confidence."
La Albiceleste survived a spirited fightback from Australia to book their place in the last eight following a 2-1 win on Saturday.
Lionel Messi opened the scoring on 35 minutes to register his third goal of the tournament and Julian Alvarez added a second on 57 minutes, although Enzo Fernandez's 77th-minute own-goal set up a nervy finish.
Image copyright: Getty Images
Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni is hoping to have Angel Di Maria back for Friday's encounter, with the Juventus winger only making the bench against the Socceroos after picking up a knock in the victory over Poland.
"We are very satisfied. It was a very challenging game and very useful to understand how difficult this competition is," Scaloni said. "They pressed us. They were fresher than us. The first half was tough but Messi scored the opening goal and we improved.
"We adapted a few things, bringing on Lisandro Martinez. I thought we needed to look for something different and I think that we improved with this substitution. I don't think we deserved to suffer as we did in the last minutes because we had chances before that.
"Angel Di Maria was unfit today. Hopefully he will be able to play in the next game. It is always tempting to bring him on when he is on the bench but I don't think we would have been helping anyone to bring him. We hope that he keeps evolving and will be ready soon."
Head-to-Head:
Matches - 7
Netherlands - 3
Argentina - 2
Draws - 2
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