FIFA World Cup Quarter-Finals – Netherlands vs Argentina on 09/12/2022
The last time these two nations met was 8 years ago in Brazil when both countries competed in the semi-finals. The Netherlands remembered their pain when they lost on a penalty shoot-out by (4-2) after a tight 0-0 draw in regular time. Argentina then went into the final and lost to Germany in Brazil, this season could well be the last attempt for Lionel Messi who is desperate to win the World Cup.
Netherlands were not losing in the result in any of their games in this World Cup but this time they face one of the main candidates for the trophy. The Netherlands’s top scorer Cody Gakpo scored one goal in each of the matches in Group A and could be a new rising star for the Oranje in the near future. With the Netherlands having won 8 matches from their last 10 games that could end today against Argentina, the concern is on their defense as they conceded 8 goals needlessly. They should have no injury worries, with Depay and Gakpo most likely leading their attack.
Argentina had won 8 in their last 9 games and scored 26 goals with only just 3 goals conceded look pretty solid in defense. However, the Albicelestes conceded against Saudi Arabia and Australia shows up where the Netherlands could exploit their slow reaction at their defensive back four. Messi, Alvarez and Gomez will most likely lead their attack in a version of a 4-3-3 formation. Papu Gomez did sprained his ankle, but has time to recover. Angel Di Maria missed the game against Poland, but should be back for this game.
Both teams have the quality of players in their arsenal to find the back of the net so I am going with the option of both teams to score goals.
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