Lionel Messi and Argentina look to charge towards the 2022 World Cup final as they take on a familiar foe in the quarterfinals, matched up against the Netherlands.
These two teams squared off in the semifinals of the 2014 World Cup as Argentina advanced to the final on penalties, while Netherlands were banished to the third-place match. Only three total players across either squad were on the field that day, but the memories live on.
Messi has once again shouldered the load for Argentina as they have reached the final eight of this year's tournament. In likely his final World Cup, the PSG forward will have to push onwards past the Oranje again if he hopes to hoist the trophy before bowing out of the game.
The Dutch, though, are a tough side to skate past, on a 19-match unbeaten run that spans the entirety of manager Louis van Gaal's current stint in charge of the national team.
MORE: When is Netherlands vs. Argentina? Date, time, history, and TV info for World Cup quarterfinal
Pre-match odds via BetMGM, Caesars, and FanDuel (USA), Sports Interaction (Canada), SkyBet (UK), and Ladbrokes (Australia).
Netherlands vs. Argentina odds, lines, handicaps to win
Argentina are favorites in this match, but they have not truly impressed at any point yet this tournament like other favorites have, such as France, Brazil, or Portugal. Thus, they're still sitting with plus odds on the moneyline, while the Netherlands are given a real chance to dump Messi & Co. out of the event.
Goals are expected to be at a massive premium in this match. Argentina have conceded the fewest expected goals of any team in the tournament field thus far, and while the Netherlands have been deadly in front of net, they're not creating loads of chances either.
| BetMGM | Sports Interaction | SkyBet | Ladbrokes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Netherlands win | +250 | 3.40 | 5/2 | 5/2 |
| Draw | +220 | 3.10 | 11/5 | 21/10 |
| Argentina win | +115 | 2.16 | 23/20 | 6/5 |
| Both teams to score Y / N | +100 / -145 | 1.95 / 1.67 | 1/1, 8/11 | 1/1, 3/4 |
| Over / Under 2.5 goals | +130 / -185 | 2.31 / 1.55 | 11/8, 8/15 | 27/20, 8/15 |
| Argentina -0.5 | -150 | 2.13 | — | — |
| Netherlands +0.5 | +105 | 1.66 | — | — |
| Argentina advance | -175 | 1.58 | 8/15 | 4/7 |
| Netherlands advance | +130 | 2.25 | 11/8 | 5/4 |
Note: Odds above for 90 minutes of regulation except "to advance."
Netherlands vs. Argentina team news, injuries
Aside from the loss of Giorginio Wijnaldum who misses the tournament due to a broken leg, there are no injury issues for the Netherlands as they head into the quarterfinals, a major boost for the side. Nathan Ake, Frenkie de Jong, Matthijs de Ligt, and Teun Koopmeiners are all sitting on yellow cards and would be suspended for a match with another.
There's a big question around whether Angel Di Maria will be fit for action in this game due to a thigh issue which kept him out of the Round of 16 match against Australia. He returned to training on Tuesday and should be at least available off the bench, but there are questions whether he will start, or whether Angel Correa will take his place on the wing. Papu Gomez sprained his ankle against Australia but is also thought to have recovered. Otherwise, there are no injury concerns for Argentina of the players on the roster, with Gio Lo Celso, Nico Gonzalez, and Joaquin Correa all replaced on the roster before the tournament began.
Netherlands vs. Argentina goalscorer odds
Lionel Messi is the clear frontrunner to find the back of the net in this match, but with goals expected to be hard to come by for everyone on the pitch, even he comes with somewhat juicy odds. Lautaro Martinez has struggled this tournament, but he's second-favorite on the Argentina side behind "The Flea."
For the Dutch, Memphis Depay and Cody Gakpo have been their main goalscoring threats this tournament, scoring four of their eight goals so far in the 2022 World Cup. Still, the presence of Steven Bergwijn has been prolific late in games, while Vincent Janssen and Wout Weghorst search for their first contributions.
Netherlands goalscorer odds vs. Argentina
| BetMGM | Sports Interaction | SkyBet | Ladbrokes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| M. Depay | First: +550 Any: +250 | First: 8.20 Any: 3.61 | First: 13/2 Any: 11/4 | First: 11/2 Any: 5/2 |
| C. Gakpo | First: +600 Any: +280 | First: 9.40 Any: 3.98 | First: 15/2 Any: 3/1 | First: 6/1 Any: 14/5 |
| S. Bergwijn | First: +700 Any: +320 | First: 10.00 Any: 4.41 | First: 17/2 Any: 7/2 | First: 7/1 Any: 16/5 |
| V. Janssen | First: +750 Any: +333 | First: 11.00 Any: 4.61 | First: 17/2 Any: 7/2 | First: 15/2 Any: 10/3 |
| W. Weghorst | First: +750 Any: +333 | First: 11.00 Any: 4.61 | First: 17/2 Any: 7/2 | First: 15/2 Any: 10/3 |
Note: Odds above for 90 minutes of regulation only.
Argentina goalscorer odds vs. Netherlands
| BetMGM | Sports Interaction | SkyBet | Ladbrokes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| L. Messi | First: +350 Any: +150 | First: 5.60 Any: 2.55 | First: 4/1 Any: 13/8 | First: 7/2 Any: 6/4 |
| L. Martinez | First: +500 Any: +230 | First: 7.80 Any: 3.46 | First: 6/1 Any: 5/2 | First: 5/1 Any: 23/10 |
| J. Alvarez | First: +550 Any: +240 | First: 8.20 Any: 3.61 | First: 13/2 Any: 11/4 | First: 11/2 Any: 12/5 |
| P. Dybala | First: +550 Any: +260 | First: 8.40 Any: 3.66 | First: 7/1 Any: 3/1 | First: 11/2 Any: 13/5 |
| A. Correa | First: +800 Any: +350 | First: 12.00 Any: 4.91 | First: 9/1 Any: 4/1 | First: 8/1 Any: 7/2 |
Note: Odds above for 90 minutes of regulation only.
Netherlands vs. Argentina half odds
As favorites, Argentina are also seen as most likely to score in both halves, with the Dutch thought to be up against it and a longshot to beat the South Americans on both sides of the break.
As has been the case all tournament long, the second half is a huge favorite to feature the most goals, with teams opening up significantly in the second 45 minutes.
| Caesars | SkyBet | Ladbrokes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Win either half | NED: +150 ARG: -145 | NED: 5/4 ARG: 4/6 | NED: 13/10 ARG: 4/6 |
| Win both halves | NED: +1300 ARG: +550 | NED: 14/1 ARG: 7/1 | NED: 16/1 ARG: 13/2 |
| Half most goals | 1H: +220 Draw: +205 2H: +106 | 1H: 9/4 Draw: 9/4 2H: 11/10 | 1H: 12/5 Draw: 21/10 2H: 1/1 |
Note: Odds above for 90 minutes of regulation only.
Netherlands vs. Argentina cards & corners odds
Despite the reputation of South American teams, Argentina are given a lower chance to find players in the referee's book, as they're thought likely to control the pace and flow of the game. As the Dutch will be up against a possessional disadvantage, the sheer volume of defending is thought to lead to more cards.
The game flow tracks in that direction as well, as Argentina are thought likely to contribute more to the corner tally than their Dutch opponents.
Jurrien Timber is thought to be the player most at risk of a booking in the match as he goes up against Messi on the flank, while Enzo Fernandez is at risk for the Albiceleste as the man centrally who could look to stop Dutch counters.
| FanDuel | Sports Interaction | SkyBet | |
|---|---|---|---|
| NED O/U 2.5 cards | +160 / -210 | — | — |
| ARG O/U 1.5 cards | -166 / +130 | — | — |
| NED 20+ book pts | — | — | 8/13 |
| ARG 20+ book pts | — | — | 4/6 |
| O/U 3.5 total cards | -164 / +128 | 1.57 / 2.25 | — |
| 40+ total book bts | — | — | 8/11 |
| J. Timber booked | +110 | — | — |
| E. Fernandez booked | +250 | — | — |
| NED red card | +580 | — | 15/2 |
| ARG red card | +580 | — | 15/2 |
| Either/Both red card | +350 / +3000 | — | 4/1, 50/1 |
| Over 8.5 total corners | -104 | 1.96 | 10/11 |
| NED over 3.5 corners | -132 | — | 8/11 |
| ARG over 4.5 corners | -104 | — | 5/6 |
Note: Odds above for 90 minutes of regulation only.
Note: Cards totals count a straight red card as two cards, while a second yellow to a red counts as three total cards (one for initial yellow, two for red).
How do booking points work?
Instead of counting total cards in a match, "booking points" are utilized in Europe to summarize the disciplinary record of a team or match.
Here is how booking points are calculated:
- One yellow card = 10 booking points
- One red card = 25 booking points
- Second yellow card = 35 total booking points (10 for initial yellow, 25 for red — 2nd yellow does not contribute)
