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Netherlands v. Argentina
Wednesday, July 9th | 9PM BST/4PM EST
Television Listings | Full Schedule
Nobody expected all that much from the Dutch this time around. A team in transition coming off a woeful performance at the last European Championships, it was easy to imagine them not even making it out of their group. Then they demolished Spain, cruised the group stages, squeaked past Mexico thanks to Arjen Robben's diving skills, and had to go to penalties against Costa Rica. Which is a bit of a downward trajectory. Still, they've gotten the results they need so far—which isn't what most Liverpool fans will have been wanting to see given Louis van Gaal is taking over at Manchester United after the World Cup.
If the Dutch have overachieved, Argentina have underwhelmed despite finding themselves in the semi-final. Outside of an entertainingly open match against Nigeria to end group play, it's been a lot of conservative football and waiting for Lionel Messi to pull out a single moment of magic to get them through. They've yet to win a game by more than a goal, and have won three of five by 1-0 scorelines. It's been effective but, as was the case with fellow South American favourites Brazil, it hasn't won them many fans amongst the neutrals.
If you haven't already, join the community on the Liverpool Offside, where we'll have coverage and lively in-game discussion for every match at World Cup 2014.
