FIFA World Cup 2014 Semi Final: Argentina 0-0 Netherlands (4-2 after penalties) : Five Talking Points

After a simply stunning first semi-final that saw eight goals, Argentina and Netherlands played out a dull, drab clash, which saw the South Americans go through on penalties. Given the embarrassment of attacking riches in both camps, it was surprising to not even see a single goal in over two hours of football. In the end, Sabella and Argentina wont mind as they have gone through to their first World Cup final since 1990.Here are the five talking points.

#1 A tight, tense and tactical affair

Germany’s humiliation of Brazil in the first semi-final heightened many people’s expectations from this game. Although Germany surprised everyone by going all-out attack right from the start, it was unlikely that two sides that were managed by tactically astute managers in Sabella and Van Gaal were going to indulge the fans’ fantasy.

And so it proved, in a game that extended the Netherlands’ scoreless run at the World Cup to 4 hours and Argentina’s to little under three and a half hours. With so much on the line, neither side was willing to cede the initiative and leave gaps at the back. All of which meant that this, for the most part was a game in which neither wanted to attack with all their might. Barring the final few minutes of extra-time, when the game was an open, end-to-end encounter, it was dull, dour, defensive display from both teams.

#2 Familiar failings come back to hurt Holland

They say that there is a fine line between genius and stupidity. Against Costa Rica, Van Gaal was proclaimed as a genius for bringing on Krul for the shoot-out which the Dutch won. As wonderful as that decision was, the decision to send out Ron Vlaar, a centre back to take the first penalty in a crucial shootout was simply baffling.

While there is no doubt that he had a wonderful game that still doesn’t mean he goes ahead of penalty specialists like Huntelaar, who ended up not taking a penalty for the second-straight shootout. Once Vlaar missed his spot kick, he only increased the pressure on the other Dutch players and that eventually told as the ever-reliable Sneijder missed as well to send Argentina through to the Final of the World Cup.

In a matter of few days, Van Gaal has gone from a tactical genius to being just another manager who makes mistakes. While these things happen from time to time, Van Gaal’s overtly defensive tactics meant that the Dutch failed to score for the second-straight game and that was in the end, their undoing.

#3 Mascherano and not Messi is Argentinas real hero

Before the game, all the pre-match talk was about whether Messi or Robben will help their side to victory. Both players have been the standout attackers for their respective sides in the tournament so far and were expected to make the difference in this one. In the end, neither was able to exert their dominance on a game in which chances were few and far between.

For Argentina, it was Mascherano and not Messi, who was their hero of the day. For it was Mascherano’s last-ditch tackle on Robben in the final moments of normal-time that sent the game into extra-time. While Messi was peripheral for much of the game, Mascherano was at the heart of everything good emanating from Argentina’s midfield. Whether it was making crucial interceptions or timing his tackles to perfection, the Barcelona midfielder did it all. Although Messi scored in the shootout, for once though, he wasn’t his side’s best performer on the day.

#4 Netherlands fail to turn up as an attacking force

As good as the Dutch were at the back, going forward, their attack was almost non-existent. With their captain and talisman Robin Van Persie out of form and Robben getting very little of the ball, it looked as though the Dutch weren’t going to create too many openings in the game. Robben, who had been their main goal threat so far in the tournament, was marshalled masterfully by Mascherano who was his side’s best performer.

For the Dutch, there was plenty of aimless long passing, trying in vain to pick out Robben and an overall lack of cohesion when they went forward. Just like Argentina are with Messi, so far the Dutch have been a one-man attack with Robben leading the way. On a day when he was expertly marked, the Dutch didn’t have any other alternative and were forced to wait for penalties. While that worked against Costa Rica, it didn’t against the South Americans and van Gaal and his men will walk away with a performance that is unlikely to please the ultra-critical Johan Cruyff.

#5 Where next for both sides?

As far as Argentina is concerned, Messi finally has his moment in the spotlight. He will be playing in the biggest match of his career till date and has the chance to once and for all prove to everyone that he is equal to, if not better than Maradona. However, if their attack continues to struggle like it did today, then the South Americans might be in for a long night against the clinical Germans looking to clinch their first World Cup since 1990.

Before the tournament started, not much was expected out of the Dutch squad. In fact, there were those who wondered whether they would even get out of the group. While the Oranje managed to sail through the group stage in some style, they have only scored two goals in three knockout games, of which two have gone to penalties. On Saturday they will take on a Brazil side, hoping to salvage some pride. Should they continue their group stage form, they should win at a canter. However, if they go for the defensive tactics they employed for the knockout rounds, they might end up losing even that.