The Netherlands will meet Argentina in the quarter-finals at the 2022 Qatar World Cup. So, HITC Football looks at the last Dutch XI led by Robin van Persie that took on La Albiceleste.
Oranje and the two-time champions have met five times across the previous 21 editions of the quadrennial FIFA tournament. The European and South American nations last took on one another during the semi-finals for Brazil 2014. It also took penalties to separate them.
Louis Van Gaal, in charge of the Netherlands again in 2022, took the Dutch to the final four in Brazil. But he could not thwart Alejandro Sabella’s squad at the Arena Corinthians in Sao Paulo. Argentina triumphed 4-2 in the shootout following a goalless draw after extra time.
Lionel Messi, Ezequiel Garay, Sergio Aguero and Maxi Rodriguez all lashed the net from 12 yards out for Argentina. But before Messi converted, Sergio Romero had denied Ron Vlaar and would go on to deny Wesley Sneijder. Arjen Robben and Dirk Kuyt did score of Oranje.
The Netherlands would leave South America with the bronze spoon after beating Brazil in the third-place play-off. Argentina would also have to settle for second place after Mario Gotze volleyed past Romero in the 113th minute to hand Germany their fourth title so far.
Van Gaal’s 2022 Netherlands XI can seek revenge on Argentina for their 2014 loss
Van Gaal’s 2022 Netherlands XI can now seek revenge on Argentina for Oranje’s defeat at the 2014 World Cup. The Dutch reached the final eight in Qatar with a comfortable 3-1 win over the USA 3-1 in the last 16. La Albiceleste beat Australia 2-1, but also mostly with ease.
Both sides also topped their respective groups with the Netherlands finishing first in Group A and Argentina topping Group C. But neither nation produced perfect records with Oranje drawing 1-1 with Ecuador after leading. Saudi Arabia also beat Argentina 2-1 after trailing.
Now, the European and South American nations will meet for the first time since the semi-finals for Brazil 2014. The Lusail Iconic Stadium meeting on Friday, December 9 will also be just the 10th between the two teams across all competitions and sixth at a World Cup yet.
The Netherlands have won four of their past fixtures with Argentina and drawn in a further two to three defeats. Two of Oranje’s wins against La Albiceleste so far have been at World Cups. They edged the 1978 and 1986 champions at West Germany 1974 and France 1998.
So, ahead of the Netherlands and Argentina meeting at the 2022 World Cup in the quarter-finals, HITC Football looks back to Brazil 2014 and the XI that Van Gaal fielded in Sao Paulo.
Jasper Cillessen (GK): Netherlands ace played his last World Cup tie with Argentina
Jasper Cillessen made his last appearance at the World Cup in the Netherlands XI that lost to Argentina in 2014. Van Gaal opted against naming the NEC Nijmegen goalkeeper in his squad for Qatar 2022. Oranje also failed to qualify for the last World Cup in Russia in 2018.
Stefan de Vrij (CB): Van Gaal is yet to use his 2014 star in his 2022 Netherlands XI
Stefan de Vrij is at his second World Cup after making Van Gaal’s squads in 2014 and 2022. But while the 30-year-old started all seven of Oranje’s fixtures in Brazil, he is yet to feature in Qatar. The centre-back has merely watched their four fixtures thus far from the bench.
Bruno Martins Indi (CB): Van Gaal had to hook the defender as a red card loomed
Van Gaal hooked Bruno Martins Indi at half-time after the centre-back picked up a yellow card right before the break. Daryl Janmaat, who joined Newcastle United straight after the World Cup, came on in his place. But the right-back would not get to at least try a penalty.
Ron Vlaar (CB): Romero denied the AZ Alkmaar U18 coach during Brazil 2014
Romero denied Vlaar with the Netherlands’ first penalty in the semi-final shootout at Brazil 2014 to help Argentina win. The 37-year-old would only play one more match for Oranje in his career before retiring in 2021. He is now an assistant coach in AZ Alkmaar’s Under-18s.
Dirk Kuyt (RM): The Liverpool hero scored his penalty with his last World Cup act
Liverpool hero Kuyt scored what would be the Netherlands’ last penalty in their shootout with Argentina in 2014. It would also be the last act he ever made at a World Cup after 15 games across three editions. The winger scored once and created three goals in his games.
Georginio Wijnaldum (CM): An injury denied Van Gaal his 2014 star in 2022
Georginio Wijnaldum started six of the Netherlands’ seven World Cup fixtures in 2014 and scored against Brazil in their third-place play-off. But Van Gaal could not take the 32-year-old to Qatar after he fractured his tibia in training after joining Roma on loan this August.
Wesley Sneijder (CM): Oranje’s 2010 talisman did not have the same magic in 2014
Sneijder shared the Golden Boot in 2010 as the Netherlands reached the World Cup final before losing 1-0 to Spain. The midfielder was Oranje’s talisman in South Africa with five goals and an assist. But after assisting twice in their first tie in 2014, he only added a goal.
Nigel de Jong (CM): A less controversial finish to his World Cup than in 2010
Nigel de Jong was central to one of the biggest moments of the 2010 World Cup final when he kicked Spain midfielder Xavi Alonso in the chest. His involvement in the 2014 semi-final with Argentina would not be as controversial. His role also only lasted to the 62nd minute.
Daley Blind (LB): Eight years on, he is still Van Gaal’s first-choice on the left
Eight years on from playing at his first World Cup, Daley Blind is still Van Gaal’s first-choice on the left. The 32-year-old started all seven of their fixtures in 2014 and has opened each of their four in 2022 so far. He also has one goal at each edition plus three and one assist.
Arjen Robben (ST): Argentina held the Netherlands icon back in their 2014 tie
Robben enjoyed a heroic presence in the Netherlands’ 2010 and 2014 World Cup teams, as well as games in 2006. The iconic 96-cap winger fired home six goals and created a further six across his 15 appearances at World Cups. He hit 37 and created 34 in his Oranje career.
Robin van Persie (ST): Van Gaal hooked his captain off early on in extra time
Van Gaal hooked his captain, Van Persie, early on in extra time before the Netherlands and Argentina went to penalties. The Oranje boss chose to introduce Klaas-Jan Huntelaar in the 96th minute. But the substitute would fail to stop the semi-final from going to a shootout.
Van Persie had scored one of the goals of the tournament with a sublime diving header in a brace against Spain. But the 102-cap Manchester United hero only added to his tally with one goal against Australia and another in the third-place play-off to help beat hosts Brazil.
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