AFP Sports looks back on four World Cup clashes between Argentina and the Netherlands:
Argentina could do nothing to stop a wave of Total Football that swept over them from the first whistle and did not let go until the very end, when even a score of 4 -0 was less than the dominant Dutchman deserved.
Johan Cruyff was at the peak of his powers and both opened and closed the scoring in a magical team display that highlighted cutting-edge tactics that would influence football for decades to come.
The Netherlands helped eliminate Argentina in the second group stage and advance to the final, where the game’s new gods were brought to earth by Gerd Muller and hosts Germany West.
In the absence of Cruyff, who was the subject of a kidnapping attempt before the tournament, the Netherlands lost their second consecutive final against a host country. This time it was to Argentina in a World Cup used by the country’s military junta to restore its image.
Allegations of match-fixing and political pressure in favor of Argentina flew throughout the tournament, but a tense and at times violent competition would have been settled in favor of the Netherlands if Rob Rensenbrink’s last-minute shot did not hadn’t burst on the post.
Argentina won their first World Cup in extra time thanks to star man Mario Kempes, who had opened the scoring in normal time and put the hosts in front to take their tournament tally to six, sending his side to a 3-win 1. .
Dennis Bergkamp has scored plenty of spectacular goals in his career, but few match the significance of his last-minute winner in their 2-1 quarter-final win over Argentina in Marseille in 1998.
The Dutch had a formidable formation with Patrick Kluivert and the De Boer brothers, as well as Edgar Davids in midfield and the almost unbeatable Edwin van der Sar in goal.
An entertaining contest in which both sides hit the woodwork seemed to rock the Argentines’ way when Arthur Numan was sent off for taking down Diego Simeone.
But Ariel Ortega was then shown a red card after diving for a penalty and then managing to headbutt the towering Van der Sar.
The game seemed to be drifting into extra time in scorching heat.
But that all changed when Frank de Boer picked out Bergkamp with a peach of a long pass and the Arsenal leader did the rest, knocking the ball down before cutting inside and scoring one of the big goals. of the World Cup.
Louis van Gaal was in charge eight years ago when the Netherlands missed out on the Brazil final after a penalty shootout loss to their former opponents.
Van Gaal had Arjen Robben and Robin van Persie at his disposal while Messi was on the pitch for Argentina, but the two sides canceled out in a game of few chances.
Ron Vlaar missed the Dutchman’s first penalty and Wesley Sneijder gave Argentina a chance of victory by missing his third, the final World Cup act of his career.
Argentina would go on to lose to Germany in the final and their World Cup drought is now 36 years, while the Dutch did not return to the tournament until eight years later.
