Arjen Robben has been masterful for the Dutch. (Getty Images)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.
The winner will take on Germany, who destroyed Brazil 7-1 on Tuesday.
In a 1-0 win over Belgium, Argentina showed its defensive mettle by impeding chance after chance against all of Belgium's weapons. It wasn't so much keeper Sergio Romero as it was the back four, including central defenders Ezequiel Garay and Martin Demichelis, who served as the wall in front of Romero. It's equally as important to note that Argentina's eighth-minute goal scorer wasn't Lionel Messi. Instead it was Gonzalo Higuain who struck first, signifying that while the team may be built around Messi, it can survive without his scoring brilliance (at least for one day). That defense must be as foolproof as it was in the quarterfinals, especially against the counterattacking exploits of its orange opponents.
Standing in Lio Messi's way is a Dutch team long on confidence after stunning Mexico and outlasting a feisty Costa Rican team in penalty kicks. Its unabashed coach Louis van Gaal chose to substitute his keeper ahead of penalty kicks in what amounted to a stunning yet prescient decision. Thanks, in part, to successful penalties from Robin Van Persie and Arjen Robben, the Dutch snuck through. After lighting up the group stages with 10 goals, it's managed just two tallies in the elimination rounds. Argentina has scored just two goals as well without having conceded any in the knockout rounds.
The Dutch have a slight chance of getting hardnosed midfielder Nigel De Jong back from injury, but the latest concern revolves around Robin Van Persie's 'stomach problem.' His status is in doubt for Wednesday's clash in Sao Paulo.
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.
Goals were scored at a feverish pace during the group stages, while teams have shored up leaky backlines thus far in the elimination rounds (save for, of course, Brazil's abomination on Tuesday). Even though Wednesday's match features the sublime talents of Messi and Robben, don't expect anything other than a one-goal difference, either way. Argentina must also be wary of some late Dutch magic as it's fostered three comeback wins thus far in the World Cup. More World Cup: Scoreboard | Schedule | Bracket | U.S. Team news
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