■ Argentina, Netherlands vie for spot in finals,
NETHERLANDSVS. ARGENTINA Where: Sao Paulo. Time: 4p.m. TV: ESPN, Univision. The buzz: There’s some history between these teams, not all of it good. The last time theymet in the elimination round of a World Cup, the Netherlands won after goalie Edwin van der Sar, whose teamwas playing a man down, baited Argentine playmaker Ariel Ortega into head-butting him. Ortega was ejected, leaving the teams at even strength, and moments later Dennis Bergkamp scored the deciding goal. How much that 1998 quarterfinal matters is hard to say since Netherlands stars Robin Van Persie and Arjen Robben were only 14 then and Argentina’s Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero and Gonzalo Higuain were10 or 11.
The Dutch, whose only loss in the last two World Cups came in the 2010 final against Spain in extra time, started this tournament like gangbusters, blitzing Spain, 5-1, in their opener. But despite a potent attack led byVan Persie (three goals), Robben (three goals) andWesley Sneijder (onegoal), they’vescored only once in regulation time in two knockout-stage games.
Argentina, the only teamto win all five of its games in Brazil, won them all by only a goal despite getting four goals from Messi in group play. Messi will be counted on heavily against the Netherlands since Argentina will be without its chief playmaker, Real Madrid midfielder Angel Di Maria. That loss could be tempered somewhat for Argentina by the expected return of Manchester City striker Aguero and the return to form of forward Higuain, whose game winneragainstBelgium lastweekwas his firstgoalof this World Cup. The Dutch will again be missing defensive midfielder Nigel de Jong. Both sides teams can probably expect another tight, low-scoring game since forecasters are calling for temperatures in the low 60s and a70% chance of rain.