2014 World Cup Semi - Argentina vs Netherlands
Argentina 0 (4-2) vs The Netherlands 0
"Messi might get one (goal), as Dutch ball possession, counters and hard challenges will break his rhythm just enough."
"After facing the best defense that remained (Costa Rica), the soft Argentine backline will be just what the Dutch ordered."
The Dutch defense did just that in shutting Messi down. Unfortunately, the Dutch offense waxed conservative, opting for ball control in the middle with little or no push up front.
A dour borefest, in which both teams congested the middle. Robben and Messi struggled to get touches, create space or scoring chances.
A Clockwork Orange controlled most of the game and in particular the last 60 minutes including overtime.
Argentina's effort was lackluster, but the once fluid Dutch did not turn it up, and in fact, turned it off.
Los Gauchos without DiMaria stuffed the backline with eight, launched few futile counters and seemed quite content to play for the shootout.
Coming into the match Robben had 17 runs into the box with the ball at his feet, 8 more than anyone else in the Cup. Today he would get only one.
The conservative Dutch attack has lacked feeding the ball to Robben, the isolation has resulted in few touches, scoring chances. and the Dutch failing to score from the pitch in 240 minutes.
At 76' From the right Perez lofts a pass into the Dutch box, laying out Higuain volleys it into the top right of the net. Not so fast, Joe... the flag is up as Higuain was ever so slightly offside.
At 91' Sneijder back flicks the ball releasing Robben down the inside left for his only run in the box. With the ball at his feet, Robben curls to shoot, only to have Mascherano poke it away at full stretch. The Dutch would have their first shot on target at 8' extra time.
Today's Dutch shoot out hero was not Krul, as Romero snuffed 2 (Vlaar & Sneijder) of the first 3 Dutch attempts while Cillensen failed to save one extending his streak to 0 for 20.
Los Gauchos celebrate as they advance to face Germany for rubber match final (1986 Argentina, 1990 Germany).
"Messi might get one (goal), as Dutch ball possession, counters and hard challenges will break his rhythm just enough."
"After facing the best defense that remained (Costa Rica), the soft Argentine backline will be just what the Dutch ordered."
The Dutch defense did just that in shutting Messi down. Unfortunately, the Dutch offense waxed conservative, opting for ball control in the middle with little or no push up front.
A dour borefest, in which both teams congested the middle. Robben and Messi struggled to get touches, create space or scoring chances.
A Clockwork Orange controlled most of the game and in particular the last 60 minutes including overtime.
Argentina's effort was lackluster, but the once fluid Dutch did not turn it up, and in fact, turned it off.
Los Gauchos without DiMaria stuffed the backline with eight, launched few futile counters and seemed quite content to play for the shootout.
Coming into the match Robben had 17 runs into the box with the ball at his feet, 8 more than anyone else in the Cup. Today he would get only one.
The conservative Dutch attack has lacked feeding the ball to Robben, the isolation has resulted in few touches, scoring chances. and the Dutch failing to score from the pitch in 240 minutes.
At 76' From the right Perez lofts a pass into the Dutch box, laying out Higuain volleys it into the top right of the net. Not so fast, Joe... the flag is up as Higuain was ever so slightly offside.
At 91' Sneijder back flicks the ball releasing Robben down the inside left for his only run in the box. With the ball at his feet, Robben curls to shoot, only to have Mascherano poke it away at full stretch. The Dutch would have their first shot on target at 8' extra time.
Today's Dutch shoot out hero was not Krul, as Romero snuffed 2 (Vlaar & Sneijder) of the first 3 Dutch attempts while Cillensen failed to save one extending his streak to 0 for 20.
Los Gauchos celebrate as they advance to face Germany for rubber match final (1986 Argentina, 1990 Germany).
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