World Cup 2014 - Semifinals Preview: Argentina vs. The Netherlands

The only way the Argentina vs. the Netherlands game even compares to what we witnessed yesterday: Messi and Robben brawl it out, hockey-style. I got Messi as a favorite because Robben will probably dive the moment Messi swings at him. Anyway...

Your Mandatory "No love lost between these two teams" Video

The 1978 final would've been a solid choice, but these two teams have met more recently than that. We go back to 1998, when Argentina and the Netherlands met in the Quarterfinals. The final score was 2-1 to the Dutch, and it gave us a sublime moment of skill.

Uniforms

Argentina's albiceleste vs. the Netherlands' oranje. This is as good as it gets when talking about soccer jerseys. The advantage goes to the Dutch, only because Adidas screwed up the shorts, going with white instead of the classic black. Else, it would've been a tie.

Three Burning Questions

1. Who replaces Angel di Maria's endless running?

Sadly, nobody. Di Maria was a unique player in this system, very similar to what Neymar gave Brazil. The difference here is that Argentina still has Messi and Higuain. Brazil had Fred and Hulk. Ugh.

2. Will Robben turn right?

No. He's the left-handed version of Derek Zoolander. Dude always cuts left. Always.

3. How many goals will the Dutch score in counterattacks after Argentina loses possession?

The over/under is 2.5, and I think it's over. I'm dead serious. Argentina is going to dominate possession, Dutch defenders are going to swarm Messi, and eventually they will win the ball back and boot it forward where Robben is going to outrace DeMichelis and Mascherano, a.k.a. Slow and Slower.

Argentina will win if...
... Messi scores a hattrick, because I don't think a brace is going to be enough.

The Netherlands will win if...
... they don't screw up. They are the clear favorites and Argentina's style suits them to perfection.

The Final Score
Argentina 1 - The Netherlands 3. I think this is another case of the South American team getting all emotional at the beginning, then getting hit with European indifference. The Netherlands score early, counterattack late, Messi gets a meaningless goal at the end, and a 1974 final rematch is setup.