When Louis van Gaal’s team plays Argentina in the FIFA World Cup quarterfinals on Friday, Netherlands defender Timber will have the difficult chore of attempting to contain perhaps the best footballer in the world.
Messi, who scored three goals for Argentina in Qatar FIFA World Cup 2022, put on a masterful performance as the Albiceleste defeated Australia 2-1 on Saturday. One of the main questions in the Opta Challenge, below, is whether Messi will score once more.
Friday’s highly anticipated quarterfinal between Argentina and the Netherlands in Qatar is also a rematch of some of the best games, continuing Lionel Messi’s quest for his first World Cup.
Argentina vs Netherlands: 2022 FIFA World Cup | Quarter-final
Nine times have passed between the Netherlands and Argentina, with four victories, one defeat, and three draws. Five of those occurred during the FIFA World Cup: the Argentines defeated the Netherlands 3-1 in the 1978 championship match after the Dutch defeated them 4-0 in the second group stage in 1974.
Prior to two goalless draws in the 2006 group stage and their most recent meeting in the 2014 semi-finals, which the Argentines ultimately won on penalties, the Dutch won 2-1 in the 1998 quarter-finals.
Argentina vs Netherlands Score
| Time | Team | Score | Team | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 00:12 AM | Argentina | 0-0 | Netherlands | 9th Dec at Lusail Iconic Stadium |
Argentina 2022 FIFA World Cup Squad
Argentina Football Team
| Role | Players |
|---|---|
| Goalkeeper | Franco Armani, Geronimo Rulli, Emiliano Martinez |
| Defenders | Nahuel Molina, Gonzalo Montiel, German Pezzella, Nicolas Otamendi, Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martinez, Nocolas Tagliafico, Marcos Acuna, Juan Foyth. |
| Midfielders | Guido Rodriguez, Rodrigo De Paul, Exequiel Palacios, Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernandez, Alejandro Gomez, Leandro Paredes. |
| Forwards | Lionel Messi, Nicolas Gonzalez, Lautaro Martinez, Paulo Dybala, Julian Alvarez, Joaquin Correa, Angel Di Maria. |
| Captain | Lionel Messi |
| Coach | Lionel Scaloni |
Netherlands 2022 FIFA World Cup Squad
Netherlands Football Team
| Role | Players |
|---|---|
| Goalkeeper | Remko Pasveer, Justin Bijlow, Andries Noppert. |
| Defenders | Jurriën Timber, Matthijs de Ligt, Virgil van Dijk, Nathan Aké, Stefan de Vrij, Tyrell Malacia, Daley Blind, Denzel Dumfries, Jeremie Frimpong. |
| Midfielders | Davy Klaassen, Marten de Roon, Teun Koopmeiners, Frenkie de Jong, Kenneth Taylor, Xavi Simons. |
| Forwards | Steven Bergwijn, Cody Gakpo, Luuk de Jong, Memphis Depay, Noa Lang, Vincent Janssen, Wout Weghorst. |
| Captain | Virgil van Dijk |
| Head Coach | Louis Van Gaal |
