Argentina–Netherlands football rivalry explained

Argentina–Netherlands football rivalry
City Or Region:Argentina (CONMEBOL)
Netherlands (UEFA)
First Contested:26 May 1974
Netherlands 4–1 Argentina
Teams Involved:
Most Wins:Netherlands (4)
Mostrecent:9 December 2022
Argentina 2–2 Netherlands; Argentina won 4-3 on penalties
Total:10
Largestvictory:
  • Netherlands 4–0 Argentina
    (26 June 1974)
Largestscoring:Netherlands 4–1 Argentina
(26 May 1974)
Map Location:World
Map Label1:Argentina
Map Label1 Position:right
Map Label2:Netherlands
Map Label2 Position:right
Coordinates1:-34°N -58°W
Coordinates2:52°N 4°W

The Argentina–Netherlands football rivalry is a highly competitive sports rivalry that exists between the national football teams of the two countries, as well as their respective sets of fans.

Unlike many football rivalries, this one is intercontinental, pairing the Argentine team from South America with the Dutch team from Europe.

First meeting in an international friendly in May 1974, the two teams met just one month later in the group stage of the 1974 FIFA World Cup. Since then, the matchup has become one of the most common in the World Cup, with the two teams meeting a total of six times during the tournament.

In total, the Netherlands have won four games to Argentina's one, with the other five other matches ending in a draw, including two victories for Argentina in the World Cup knockout stages via penalty shootouts (2014 and 2022).

History

Considered by sports media to be two historically great teams,[1] the Argentines and Dutch have developed an intense rivalry. They have met ten times in total, and six times during the FIFA World Cup tournament.

First matches

The two teams first met on 26 May 1974 in an international friendly, won by the Netherlands 4–1.[2] The following month, the two teams were drawn into Group A of the second round of the 1974 FIFA World Cup held in West Germany. Their first FIFA World Cup matchup took place on 26 June; Johan Cruyff scored two goals in a victory for the Netherlands, which saw the Dutch defeat Argentina 4–0.[3] [4]

1978 FIFA World Cup final and 1979 friendly

See main article: 1978 FIFA World Cup Final. The two teams met again in the 1978 FIFA World Cup final, with Argentina avenging their 1974 loss, defeating the Netherlands 3–1, after extra time.[4] Argentina hosted the 1978 tournament which was marred by controversy, with political pressure allegedly favoring Argentina on the pitch.[5] Held under the backdrop of Jorge Rafael Videla's dictatorship, the tournament was seen as a tool for Argentine nationalist propaganda.[6] The Peruvian national team were allegedly bribed to throw their match against Argentina, which sent the latter to the final over Brazil.[7] In the final, Mario Kempes and Dick Nanninga scored during regulation, for Argentina and the Netherlands, respectively. Tied at 1–1, the match went into extra time. Kempes scored again and Daniel Bertoni added another goal for the Argentines, securing them a 3–1 victory.[8]

The two teams met again the following year for a friendly game organized by FIFA to celebrate the organization's 75th anniversary.[9] [10] The game was documented by Sports Illustrated writer Clive Gammon to be hotly contested, ending in a 0–0 draw; FIFA opted to stage a penalty shootout, which ended 8–7 in Argentina's favor.[9] The game was also notable for featuring an 18-year-old Diego Maradona, who joined Argentina's roster due to a leg injury to Kempes.[9]

1998 FIFA World Cup match and subsequent friendlies

After not meeting during the 1980s, the two teams met during the quarter-finals of the 1998 FIFA World Cup. The Netherlands' Patrick Kluivert and Argentina's Claudio López traded goals early in the match. Tied at 1–1, Dennis Bergkamp scored a late goal in the game's 90th-minute to give the Dutch a 2–1 victory. Bergkamp's goal would become regarded as one of the more iconic goals in FIFA World Cup history.[11] [12]

The two teams met for a friendly in March 1999, which ended in a 1–1 draw.[13] Another friendly between the two sides took place in February 2003; it saw Giovanni van Bronckhorst score a late goal in the 87th minute to give the Dutch a 1–0 victory.[14]

Scoreless draws in the 2006 and 2014 FIFA World Cups

The two teams played in three consecutive draws in FIFA World Cup matches in 2006, 2014, and 2022. The 2006 match occurred during the tournament's group stage, as the Dutch and the Argentines were both drawn into Group C. The final group stage game for both squads, they entered the game having both already secured a trip to the tournament's knockout stage.[15] With Argentina having a better goal difference, the Dutch needed to win in order to top the group but could only draw 0-0 and therefore Argentina won the group while the Netherlands finished in second.[16]

Argentina and the Netherlands met again in the semi-finals of the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Described as "tedious" by BBC writer Phil McNulty,[17] the game provided little offense, as both defenses remained in control throughout the 0–0 draw.[3] Deadlocked after extra time, Argentina prevailed 4–2 on penalties. They converted all four of their penalty attempts, while the Dutch's Ron Vlaar and Wesley Sneijder had their attempts saved by Argentine goalkeeper Sergio Romero.[18]

2022 FIFA World Cup quarter-finals

See main article: Battle of Lusail. Two teams met in the 2022 tournament's quarter-finals. The game was noted for its contentious nature prior to, during, and after the match. Prior to the match, Dutch manager Louis van Gaal stated "we've got a score to settle with Argentina for what happened two World Cups ago". The match saw Argentina take a 2–0 lead after Lionel Messi assisted Nahuel Molina on a goal in the first half, before scoring on a penalty goal in the second.[19] Wout Weghorst, a late-game substitution for the Netherlands scored 2 goals, including one in the eleventh and final minute of stoppage time to help the Dutch even the game at 2–2.[19] Between Weghorst's two goals, both benches cleared and players from both teams engaged in a scuffle due to a harsh foul from Leandro Paredes and the ball being kicked toward the Dutch sideline.[20] The game remained tied after extra time, sending the two teams to a penalty shootout. Argentina prevailed 4–3, with both teams attempting five shots. Argentine goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez made two saves and was notably animated during the shootout.[20] Lautaro Martínez converted on Argentina's fifth attempt to send them to the semi-finals en route to their third FIFA World Cup victory.[21]

The game was noted by many football writers to be dramatic and hotly contested. This match is referred to as the Battle of Lusail (Spanish; Castilian: Batalla de Lusail, Dutch; Flemish: Slag bij Lusail) according to reports and fans.[22] [23]

Match history

Legend

! scope="col"
DateVenueWinnerScoreNetherlands scorersArgentina scorersCompetition
126 May 1974Olympic Stadium, Amsterdam, NetherlandsNetherlands4–1Friendly[24]
226 June 1974Parkstadion, Gelsenkirchen, GermanyNetherlands4–0—1974 FIFA World Cup[25]
325 June 1978Estadio Monumental, Buenos Aires, ArgentinaArgentina1978 FIFA World Cup[26]
422 May 1979Stadion Wankdorf, Bern, SwitzerlandDraw0–0 ——Friendly[27]
54 July 1998Stade Vélodrome, Marseille, FranceNetherlands2–11998 FIFA World Cup[28]
631 March 1999Amsterdam ArenA, Amsterdam, NetherlandsDraw1–1Friendly[29]
712 February 2003Amsterdam ArenA, Amsterdam, NetherlandsNetherlands1–0—Friendly[30]
821 June 2006Waldstadion, Frankfurt, GermanyDraw0–0——2006 FIFA World Cup[31]
99 July 2014Arena Corinthians, São Paulo, BrazilDraw0–0 ——2014 FIFA World Cup[32]
109 December 2022Lusail Stadium, Lusail, QatarDraw2022 FIFA World Cup[33]

Official titles comparison

!Senior titles!Argentina!Netherlands
World Cup30
FIFA Confederations Cup10
CONMEBOL–UEFA Cup of Champions20
Copa América/European Championship161
Panamerican/Nations League10
Total231

References

Sources

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Argentina v Netherlands at FIFA World Cup 2022: Head-to-head record, schedule and time. Olympics.com. 8 December 2022. 20 December 2022. 12 December 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221212215840/https://olympics.com/en/news/argentina-netherlands-fifa-world-cup-2022-head-2-head-record. live.
  2. Web site: Netherlands v Argentina: What time, what channel, team news and all you need to know. Independent.ie. 9 December 2022. 20 December 2022. 21 December 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221221032528/https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/world-cup/netherlands-v-argentina-what-time-what-channel-team-news-and-all-you-need-to-know-42198650.html. live.
  3. Web site: McLaughlin. Luke. Netherlands v Argentina: their previous World Cup meetings. The Guardian. 8 December 2022. 20 December 2022. 20 December 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221220055133/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/dec/08/netherlands-argentina-past-world-cup-meetings. live.
  4. Web site: Netherlands-Argentina: four fascinating facts. FIFA. 20 December 2022. 21 December 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221221031026/https://www.fifa.com/fifaplus/en/articles/netherlands-argentina-interesting-facts-fifa-world-cup-qatar-2022. live.
  5. Web site: Netherlands v Argentina: Four World Cup classics. MSN. 7 December 2022. 20 December 2022. 21 December 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221221031026/https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/fifa-world-cup/netherlands-v-argentina-four-world-cup-classics/ar-AA151sUE. live.
  6. News: Hennigan . Tom . Argentina's shameful World Cup 40 years on . 31 December 2022 . . 14 June 2018 . 31 December 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221231004907/https://www.irishtimes.com/news/world/argentina-s-shameful-world-cup-40-years-on-1.3529474 . live .
  7. Shephard. Alex. It's So Hard to Hate the Dutch. For the Sake of the World Cup, I'm Trying.. The New Republic. 2 December 2022. 20 December 2022.
  8. Web site: 1978 FIFA World Cup: Argentina – Netherlands match report. FIFA. 20 December 2022. 27 November 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221127115858/https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/mens/worldcup/1978argentina/match-center/2198. live.
  9. Web site: Gammon. Clive. World Cup: once more, with feeling. Sports Illustrated. 4 June 1979. 20 December 2022. 21 December 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221221031031/https://vault.si.com/vault/1979/06/04/world-cup-once-more-with-feeling-argentina-and-holland-tangled-again-in-a-friendly-exhibition-for-fifa-but-the-river-plate-rerun-turned-a-little-rough. live.
  10. Web site: Sanders. Ryan. When Netherlands and Argentina last faced off, World Cup history. DraftKings. 9 December 2022. 20 December 2022. 21 December 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221221031029/https://dknation.draftkings.com/2022/12/9/23496148/netherlands-vs-argentina-history-last-match-who-leads-series-world-cup-quarterfinals-2014. live.
  11. Web site: Lupo. John. Netherlands vs Argentina: A World Cup rivalry renewed. Vavel. 9 December 2022. 20 December 2022. 21 December 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221221031027/https://www.vavel.com/en/international-football/2022/12/09/1131725-netherlands-vs-argentina-a-world-cup-rivalry-renewed.html. live.
  12. Web site: Smyth. Rob. World Cup stunning moments: Dennis Bergkamp's wonder goal. TheGuardian.com. 17 April 2018. 20 December 2022. 21 December 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221221031031/https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2014/apr/15/world-cup-stunning-moments-dennis-bergkamp-wonder-goal. live.
  13. Web site: Netherlands 1-1 Argentina - March 31, 1999 / Friendlies 1999. Football Database. 20 December 2022. 21 December 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221221031030/https://www.footballdatabase.eu/en/match/overview/1044726-paysbas-argentine. live.
  14. Web site: Matchday 18 Live Blog: Argentina and Croatia advance to semis. sbs.com.au. 10 December 2022. 20 December 2022. 21 December 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221221031026/https://www.sbs.com.au/sport/fifa-world-cup-2022/live-blog/matchday-18-live-blog/80l2fswbb. live.
  15. Web site: Turner. Georgina. Holland 0 - 0 Argentina. The Guardian. 21 June 2006. 20 December 2022. 21 December 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221221031026/https://www.theguardian.com/football/worldcup2006/minbymin/0,,1788371,00.html. live.
  16. Web site: Farley. Richard. From 1974 to 2006: History of Argentina and the Netherlands at World Cups. NBC Sports. 8 July 2014. 20 December 2022. 21 December 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221221031026/https://soccer.nbcsports.com/2014/07/08/from-1974-to-2006-history-of-argentina-and-the-netherlands-at-world-cups/. live.
  17. Web site: McNulty. Phil. Netherlands 0-0 Argentina (2-4 on pens). BBC. 9 July 2014. 20 December 2022. 21 December 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221221031030/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/28122293. live.
  18. Web site: Das. Andrew. World Cup 2014: Argentina Defeats Netherlands in Shootout, Advancing to Final. New York Times. 9 July 2014. 20 December 2022. 21 December 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221221031026/https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2014/07/09/sports/worldcup/world-cup-netherlands-vs-argentina.html. live.
  19. Web site: Burt. Jason. Emiliano Martinez the penalty hero as Messi's Argentina edge past Netherlands in grudge match. The Telegraph. 9 December 2022. 20 December 2022. 18 December 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221218220541/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2022/12/09/netherlands-vs-argentina-live-world-cup-2022-score-result-messi/. live.
  20. Web site: Damms. Colin M.. Argentina's shootout win over Netherlands was World Cup perfection. SB Nation. 10 December 2022. 20 December 2022. 18 December 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221218213355/https://www.sbnation.com/2022/12/10/23502579/argentinas-shootout-win-classic. live.
  21. Web site: Argentina Survives the Netherlands' Comeback to Keep Messi's World Cup Alive. New York Times. 18 December 2022. 9 December 2022. 20 December 2022. 20 December 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221220085359/https://www.nytimes.com/live/2022/12/09/sports/argentina-netherlands-world-cup-score. live.
  22. Web site: Storey. Daniel. Lionel Messi moves a step closer to World Cup immortality after Argentina win the 'Battle of Lusail'. i. 9 December 2022. 27 December 2022. 28 December 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221228041527/https://inews.co.uk/sport/football/lionel-messi-world-cup-immortality-argentina-battle-of-lusail-2021645. live.
  23. Web site: Netherlands vs. Argentina World Cup quarterfinal sees record 18 yellow cards in Battle of Lusail. ESPN. 10 December 2022. 11 December 2022. 11 December 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221211005351/https://www.espn.com/soccer/blog-the-toe-poke/story/4829954/netherlands-vs-argentina-world-cup-quarterfinal-sees-record-18-yellow-cards. live.
  24. Web site: Netherlands v Argentina, 26 May 1974 . 1 June 2023 . 11v11.com . AFS Enterprises . 7 December 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221207035526/https://www.11v11.com/matches/netherlands-v-argentina-26-may-1974-232845/ . live .
  25. Web site: Argentina v Netherlands, 26 June 1974 . 1 June 2023 . 11v11.com . AFS Enterprises . 26 January 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230126171707/https://www.11v11.com/matches/argentina-v-netherlands-26-june-1974-232890/ . live .
  26. Web site: Argentina v Netherlands, 25 June 1978 . 1 June 2023 . 11v11.com . AFS Enterprises . 1 June 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230601045030/https://www.11v11.com/matches/argentina-v-netherlands-25-june-1978-234799/ . live .
  27. Web site: Argentina v Netherlands, 22 May 1979 . 1 June 2023 . 11v11.com . AFS Enterprises . 1 June 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230601045031/https://www.11v11.com/matches/argentina-v-netherlands-22-may-1979-235246/ . live .
  28. Web site: Netherlands v Argentina, 04 July 1998 . 1 June 2023 . 11v11.com . AFS Enterprises . 1 June 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230601045033/https://www.11v11.com/matches/netherlands-v-argentina-04-july-1998-265642/ . live .
  29. Web site: Netherlands v Argentina, 31 March 1999 . 1 June 2023 . 11v11.com . AFS Enterprises . 1 June 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230601045033/https://www.11v11.com/matches/netherlands-v-argentina-31-march-1999-266810/ . live .
  30. Web site: Netherlands v Argentina, 12 February 2003 . 1 June 2023 . 11v11.com . AFS Enterprises . 1 June 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230601045033/https://www.11v11.com/matches/netherlands-v-argentina-12-february-2003-251024/ . live .
  31. Web site: Netherlands v Argentina, 21 June 2006 . 1 June 2023 . 11v11.com . AFS Enterprises . 1 June 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230601045035/https://www.11v11.com/matches/netherlands-v-argentina-21-june-2006-273746/ . live .
  32. Web site: Argentina v Netherlands, 09 July 2014 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230204184211/https://www.11v11.com/matches/argentina-v-netherlands-09-july-2014-308714/ . 4 February 2023 . 1 June 2023 . 11v11.com . AFS Enterprises.
  33. Web site: Netherlands v Argentina, 09 December 2022 . 1 June 2023 . 11v11.com . AFS Enterprises . 1 June 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230601045034/https://www.11v11.com/matches/netherlands-v-argentina-09-december-2022-377803/ . live .

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