Netherlands – Argentina, a classic in the World Cup

“This is a football classic. » For Sjoerd Mossou, Dutch journalist for local media A.D, the Netherlands crossing paths with Argentina at the World Cup is never insignificant. With five games in the biggest competition, the record is perfectly balanced: 2 wins and a draw from each side. “First of all, it is a romantic opposition”, the journalist continues. Because when two peoples collide, gestures, titles and above all stories become legends.

2014: Messi in the final after boredom

On the night of Sao Paulo, the Netherlands and Argentina produced the only semi-final without a score in history. Even Lionel Messi could not overcome the instability of 0-0 after 120 minutes marked by the boredom and rigidity of the Argentine block.

Finally, we had to wait for the penalty shootout to see the goalkeepers involved and the nets shaking. On the Argentinian side, it’s flawless. But for the Dutch side, Ron Vlaar and then Wesley Sneijder saw their efforts saved by Sergio Romero. The substitute goalkeeper of “Monaco” said this after the match “Strike of luck, stroke of poker”. The winning hand lost to Germany (0-1 ap) as Pulga offered their only World Cup final.

2006: Stars Are Made, No Target

At the time of the draw, the poster was spitting, as a result, it did not remain in the annals. After two first victories, Argentina and the Netherlands met in the “final” in Frankfurt for the first place in the groups. Especially for two trainers, the opportunity to rest the owners for the eighth time.

Future stars multiply in the meadow. Van der Vaart, Van Persie and Sneijder from the Netherlands face Messi, Tevez and Mascherano in the Argentinian squad. But no one finds fault and the match will lead to a new 0-0. Argentina will be eliminated in the quarterfinals against Germany (1-1, 2-4 cheese). Marco Van Basten’s team will lose against Portugal (0:1) in the eighth round.

1998: and Bergkamp crucified the Albiceleste

One of the best matches of the 1998 World Cup took place in the 1/4 finals at the Velodrome in Marseille. Only legends in the casting, or almost. They are the ones who conduct military operations. From the 12th minute, Patrick Kluivert opened the scoring thanks to a smart performance by the magical Dennis Bergkamp on this July evening. Juan Sebastian Vero’s well-taken Claudio Lopez equalized (18th), but after extra time, the match became legendary.

Bergkamp, ​​found right on the surface by Frank de Boer, still manages like a coat rack. A second touch to catch his defender cold, sliding the ball between his legs before the right foot came to crucify all of Argentina (89th, 2-1). Great goal “The most important thing in my career”, according to the “Arsenal” striker, just a champion. The mythical interpretation of Jack van Gelder, who repeated the name of the Dutch savior while shouting until he lost his voice, contrary to the usual quiet tone of Dutch commentators.

1978: Argentina world champion

“This is where the competition came from”, assures Sjoerd Mossou. 20 years before Bergkamp’s feat, the two teams met in Buenos Aires for the gala final. Argentina, led by brilliant attacking midfielder Mario Kempes (6 goals, the best player of the competition), will beat the Netherlands, who lost for the second time in a row, in the final (3-1 ap).

But above all, the country will experience indescribable joy. By presenting themselves with their first star, moreover, at home, the Argentines, then under the dictatorship of Jorge Videla, took the opportunity to celebrate a few moments of freedom on the street. At the expense of the oranges, who will not experience the world final before their new defeat against Spain in 2010 (0-1 ap).

1974: Cruyff and total football

In 1974, the world was under the spell of oranges. Following Johan Cruyff, the Netherlands promote West Germany “common football”. The core of the team knows each other perfectly, with three consecutive European Cup titles (1971, 1972, 1973) between Ajax Amsterdam and the champion clubs. And he doesn’t give his opponents any respite.

Thanks to the giant Cruyff, a double, the Dutch easily beat the Argentines in the first round (4-0). In the next day’s edition, Team title “The Netherlands is better than the rest”. In newspaper columns, reporter Jacques Etienne praises the game worn by Rinus Michels. “He [la Hollande] has exceptional attacking power and recovers the best football. What a feast for the eyes! ». Therefore, the Dutch started the competition in the best possible way before losing to the German hosts (1-2) in the final. Heartbreak for Cruyff’s generation, who will never win a world crown.