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Five talking points from Argentina v Holland: result adds to Brazil’s pain Five talking points from Argentina v Holland: result adds to Brazil’s pain
(about 2 months later)
1) Brazilian fans now facing up to worst case scenario 1) Brazilian fans now facing up to worst case scenario
Argentina’s progress into Sunday’s final at the Maracanã after a more predictable semi than that served up in the Estádio Mineirão the previous evening means the locals’ nightmare is almost complete. Brazil had been fearful of an Argentine triumph at this tournament long before they suffered their humiliation against Germany. Now Alejandro Sabella’s side can truly contemplate success in their bitter rivals’ back yard and a first World Cup win since 1986. A first goalless stalemate in 34 semi-finals may not have been the manager’s chosen means of progressing to the final, but he will care little about that. This contest, hampered perhaps by a peculiarly lenient performance from the referee and painfully cautious approaches from both sides, may have been utterly forgettable – and Argentina must find a way to revive Lionel Messi in the final in Rio de Janeiro – but their shoot-out success has earned them a wonderful chance to produce some glittering memories.Argentina’s progress into Sunday’s final at the Maracanã after a more predictable semi than that served up in the Estádio Mineirão the previous evening means the locals’ nightmare is almost complete. Brazil had been fearful of an Argentine triumph at this tournament long before they suffered their humiliation against Germany. Now Alejandro Sabella’s side can truly contemplate success in their bitter rivals’ back yard and a first World Cup win since 1986. A first goalless stalemate in 34 semi-finals may not have been the manager’s chosen means of progressing to the final, but he will care little about that. This contest, hampered perhaps by a peculiarly lenient performance from the referee and painfully cautious approaches from both sides, may have been utterly forgettable – and Argentina must find a way to revive Lionel Messi in the final in Rio de Janeiro – but their shoot-out success has earned them a wonderful chance to produce some glittering memories.
2) Germany were the main winners on a gruelling night2) Germany were the main winners on a gruelling night
While these two teams were huffing and puffing to little effect, expending energy as they meandered into each other in the drizzle over two forgettable hours, the Germans had their feet up back at their coastal retreat. They were arguably the biggest winners in São Paulo, as they had been in Belo Horizonte the previous evening. Joachim Löw’s side will still be basking in the record thrashing inflicted upon Brazil with the prospect of confronting either of these teams after such a draining, tight semi-final hardly enough to have them quaking in their boots. They will not benefit from the same swathes of vacant space in the Maracanã, with Argentina sure to attempt to stifle yet again, but their upbeat energy and rhythm could still sweep their opponents away. They will be relishing their eighth final just that little bit more after watching this war of attrition.While these two teams were huffing and puffing to little effect, expending energy as they meandered into each other in the drizzle over two forgettable hours, the Germans had their feet up back at their coastal retreat. They were arguably the biggest winners in São Paulo, as they had been in Belo Horizonte the previous evening. Joachim Löw’s side will still be basking in the record thrashing inflicted upon Brazil with the prospect of confronting either of these teams after such a draining, tight semi-final hardly enough to have them quaking in their boots. They will not benefit from the same swathes of vacant space in the Maracanã, with Argentina sure to attempt to stifle yet again, but their upbeat energy and rhythm could still sweep their opponents away. They will be relishing their eighth final just that little bit more after watching this war of attrition.
3) Van Gaal may regret not being able to use Krul3) Van Gaal may regret not being able to use Krul
The Holland manager’s hand was arguably forced in terms of his substitutions here. Bruno Martins Indi had been booked in the first half and appeared ripe for a red card, so willing was he to stifle Messi’s advances any way he could. Both Robin van Persie (stomach bug) and Nigel de Jong (groin injury) had been far from fully fit coming into this game, meaning both were unlikely to last the pace, particularly once the contest dragged into the extra period. But with his subs spent, Tim Krul was denied the chance to repeat his heroics from Salvador in the penalty shoot-out. Jasper Cillessen is a fine keeper who did little wrong in the game itself, but he had failed to save any of the 16 penalties he has confronted as a professional player. Now he can add another four from the spot-kicks converted beyond him at the end.The Holland manager’s hand was arguably forced in terms of his substitutions here. Bruno Martins Indi had been booked in the first half and appeared ripe for a red card, so willing was he to stifle Messi’s advances any way he could. Both Robin van Persie (stomach bug) and Nigel de Jong (groin injury) had been far from fully fit coming into this game, meaning both were unlikely to last the pace, particularly once the contest dragged into the extra period. But with his subs spent, Tim Krul was denied the chance to repeat his heroics from Salvador in the penalty shoot-out. Jasper Cillessen is a fine keeper who did little wrong in the game itself, but he had failed to save any of the 16 penalties he has confronted as a professional player. Now he can add another four from the spot-kicks converted beyond him at the end.
4) Mascherano is Argentina’s captain of industry4) Mascherano is Argentina’s captain of industry
The game was approaching the half-hour mark when the former West Ham and Liverpool midfielder leapt for an aerial challenge with Georginio Wijnaldum and clashed heads, Mascherano stumbling away dazed before crumpling to the turf, eyes looking vacant. The impact had been flush on his temple, the initial impression one that he simply could not continue. The medics on scene apparently determined the player had not lost consciousness, or risked concussion, and allowed him to play on. That was a big shout for Argentina, as his involvement was of key importance. Mascherano sits at the base of Argentina’s midfield, intercepting and tackling feverishly. He is the industry to Messi’s sorcery. He may no longer be captain of this lineup but his influence remains colossal, with Mascherano the player who had delivered the team talk about no longer wanting to “eat shit” that set the mood for the 1-0 quarter-final win over Belgium. His display suffered briefly after the clash of heads, his radar momentarily awry, but he remained metronomic in his duties and his challenge on Robben at the death forced the extra period.The game was approaching the half-hour mark when the former West Ham and Liverpool midfielder leapt for an aerial challenge with Georginio Wijnaldum and clashed heads, Mascherano stumbling away dazed before crumpling to the turf, eyes looking vacant. The impact had been flush on his temple, the initial impression one that he simply could not continue. The medics on scene apparently determined the player had not lost consciousness, or risked concussion, and allowed him to play on. That was a big shout for Argentina, as his involvement was of key importance. Mascherano sits at the base of Argentina’s midfield, intercepting and tackling feverishly. He is the industry to Messi’s sorcery. He may no longer be captain of this lineup but his influence remains colossal, with Mascherano the player who had delivered the team talk about no longer wanting to “eat shit” that set the mood for the 1-0 quarter-final win over Belgium. His display suffered briefly after the clash of heads, his radar momentarily awry, but he remained metronomic in his duties and his challenge on Robben at the death forced the extra period.
5) Dutch could find no way to liberate their creative talents5) Dutch could find no way to liberate their creative talents
Perhaps the Dutch obsession with nullifying Messi inevitably had a detrimental effect in terms of their ability to tap into their own attacking threats, chiefly Robin van Persie and Robben. The contest passed both players by, with the Manchester United forward barely mustering a touch, let alone a shot all night. Wesley Sneijder, nominally charged with being this team’s central playmaker, failed to find Van Persie with a single pass over the striker’s 96 minutes on the pitch. Robben was just as shackled, managing only six touches in the opening period. He was clattered early after the break by Martin Demichelis, the Manchester City defender having suggested in the build-up that Robben could be roughed up. “He doesn’t like physical contact, so you have to get under his skin,” he had said. “We have to be aggressive, especially to Robben.”The winger caught the one clear sight of goal in the final minute of normal time, but there was the outstanding Mascherano to stifle his goal attempt.Perhaps the Dutch obsession with nullifying Messi inevitably had a detrimental effect in terms of their ability to tap into their own attacking threats, chiefly Robin van Persie and Robben. The contest passed both players by, with the Manchester United forward barely mustering a touch, let alone a shot all night. Wesley Sneijder, nominally charged with being this team’s central playmaker, failed to find Van Persie with a single pass over the striker’s 96 minutes on the pitch. Robben was just as shackled, managing only six touches in the opening period. He was clattered early after the break by Martin Demichelis, the Manchester City defender having suggested in the build-up that Robben could be roughed up. “He doesn’t like physical contact, so you have to get under his skin,” he had said. “We have to be aggressive, especially to Robben.”The winger caught the one clear sight of goal in the final minute of normal time, but there was the outstanding Mascherano to stifle his goal attempt.