Can the Netherlands win their first-ever World Cup?

The FIFA World Cup in Qatar marks the 11^th time the Dutch are featuring at the World Cup. Out of the ten previous participations, they have reached the finals three times before. Their World Cup streak was in the 90s when they made the last 32 in three consecutive tournaments, this was after a streak of two consecutive participations in 1974 and 1978. If you want to know about Can injury-infested Brazil Survive Scrappy Croatia, click here.

Third time wasn’t the charm

Despite having been to the World Cup final three times, the Netherlands are yet to be champions. Making it the final for the first time in 1974 the Dutch were led by legendary coach Rinus Michels who introduced total Football was introduced to the world. With the great Johan Cruyff in the team, the Dutch were a formidable opponent against any team. In displays of utter dominance, Holland swept aside opponents like Brazil and Argentina. The Dutch national team looked to be on its way to becoming world champions, but ended up losing 2-1 to hosts West Germany.

Four years after the defeat in Germany, the Dutch national team were once again on the verge of victory in Argentina. Holland took on the host country in the finals of the tournament that was marred by controversies. After each team conceding once in 90 minutes, the final went to extra time, Argentina scored two goals to win 3-1.

The third time was when the Dutch came closest to grabbing the trophy. The 2010 World Cup in South Africa, the Dutch Coach Bert van Marwijk played attacking, focused football, going to the final unbeaten. After 32 years Holland was once more in a World Cup final, this time against Spain. In extra time Spain scored the only goal of the tie, sending Holland home empty-handed for the third time.

Last World Cup match against Argentina

Netherlands is drawn up to Argentina in the quarter-finals in Qatar. This will with no doubt add to the action-packed history of this match up. The two sides have played each other in the World Cup five times, the record stands at a tie with each team winning twice and drawing once.

The last time Netherlands was in the World Cup was in 2014, they were eliminated by Argentina in the semi-finals. Going into the tournament, they were hardly considered a top four team. They however started strong with a 5-1 over Spain, going on to win every other game up to the semi-finals. Unfortunately their dream of winning the World Cup went up in smoke, once more in the hands of Argentina, they lost 4-2 on penalties.

In their campaign for their first ever World Cup, can the Dutch overcome Argentina?

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