By Tam Nguyen, Nguoi Viet
Will it be an all-European final again in the World Cup? We will know Wednesday afternoon whether it’s the Netherlands or Argentina that will face Germany for the title. Germany stunned Brazil on Tuesday, 7-1, in the first semifinal. The loser of Wednesday’s game will meet Brazil for third place.
Lionel Messi of Argentina is picked up by teammate Sergio Aguero as Vincent Kompany of Belgium looks on after Argentina’s 1-0 win in a quarterfinal match between the two teams. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
To reach this semifinal, the Netherlands escaped with a penalty shootout win against Costa Rica, and Argentina won a hard-fought game against Belgium, 1-0.
Kickoff: 1 p.m. PDT, ESPN
Players to watch
NETHERLANDS: Arjen Robben and Robin van Persie each played an amazing game against Costa Rica, getting great scoring chances. They combined for nine scoring chances, though none turned in to goals. Look for both to rush down the field against Argentina to get more scoring chances when they set each other up on the offense.
ARGENTINA: Lionel Messi once again was not on the scoring sheet against Belgium but was responsible for setting up Argentina’s only goal. Messi somehow will draw in the defenders and find an open man to pass the ball to for a scoring chance. Messi also can strike at will from just inside the box with deadly accuracy.
Keys to victory
NETHERLANDS: The Dutch need to have stamina and agility to keep pace with the Argentineans’ speed. The Dutch must run a fast-paced offense that features short, quick passes. On defense, the Netherlands needs to block the speedy forwards of Argentina from entering the box.
ARGENTINA: Messi again should draw in the defenders and create scoring chances with quick passes to the strikers who are position in the box. Argentina needs to get the crosses in the box to the wing for a strike to the far post and hope for rebounding opportunities.
Prediction: The Netherlands’ players know what it takes to reach the final round; the Dutch were there in the 2010 World Cup, losing to Spain. The Dutch have unfinished business. Argentina will put up a fight on the attack and in the backfield to keep it close, and then Messi again will be the hero with either a strike on goal or another great assist to send Argentina to the finals on Sunday.
Final score: Argentina 2, Netherlands 1
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