The FIFA World Cup 2014 will see Lionel Messi and his Argentina take on the might of Belgium in the quarter-final while later that day, Netherlands face-off the surprise package of the tourney so far, Costa Rica.
The FIFA World Cup 2014 will see Lionel Messi and his Argentina take on the might of Belgium in the quarter-final while later that day, Netherlands face-off the surprise package of the tourney so far, Costa Rica.
So how will the teams fare in today’s quarter-final challenge? Who will prevail to the last 4? Well, here we find out:
Argentina vs. Belgium
Desired result – Argentina
Even before the ball is kicked on field, there’s less talk of the opponents and more that diminutive striker, Lionel Messi. So far none of Argentina’s opponents has been able to stop Lionel Messi.
Perhaps, it might be their quarter-finalists opponent Belgium have what it takes. But even if doesn’t, the Red Devils present a fresh challenge for Argentina at this World Cup. It was against the same country in the 1986 semis that Argentine legend, Diego Maradona really cemented the legacy of having all-but single-handedly delivered Argentina their second, and to this date last, World Cup.
Argentina has scored seven goals so far, with four coming from their maverick striker Leo Messi. Besides him in the ranks, the likes of Angel Di Maria, Gonzalo Higuain and fit again Sergio Aguero might pose a huge threat to the Belgium defence. On the other hand, Belgium has fired 38 shots, half of them from midfielders Kevin de Bruyne and Eden Hazard, and strikers Divock Origi and Romelo Lukaku. Coach Marc Wilmots knows that his Belgian side have to cope with the threat of Leo Messi and might have a different strategy up his sleeve.
Costa Rica vs. Netherlands
Desired result – Dutch win
The enticing fairytale of Costa Rica faces a day of reckoning against Louis van Gaal’s hard, calculating Dutch side on Saturday in the Brazil World Cup’s most unlikely quarter-final.
Few would have believed that Costa Rica, a small Central American country will come all guns blazing from a group including Italy, England and Uruguay. Yet “Los Ticos” shocked Uruguay and Italy to top a group bracketing three World Cup winners, before battling past Greece on penalties after playing an hour with only 10 men.
Despite the talents of Joel Campbell and Bryan Ruiz in attack, it has been more a case of grit and organisation than Latin flair with Jorge Luis Pinto’s side conceding only two goals so far and scoring five. Netherlands have been impressive so far (blanking out that 2-0 defeat to Chile) in the World Cup. Coach Louis Van Gaal might field the same line-up that beat Mexico. Arjen Robben, Wesley Sneijder and Robin van Persie could prove a tad too much for the Costa Ricans in the quarter-final stage.
Enough said, now let the ball do the talking!
