By Anna Italia
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53%  Ball Possession NETHERLANDS and 47% Ball Possession ARGENTINA
Netherlands 0 – 0 Argentina 
. (2-4) Argentina winning in penalty shootouts.

 

Argentina qualifying  for  the World Cup Final in penalty shoot outs after defeating Netherlands  on Wednesday 9 July at the Arena Sao Paulo.  Argentina will play against Germany who defeated Brazil.  Netherlands will play for the third position against Brazil.

There are 8 Italian Serie A players called up for the World Cup Semifinal game Netherlands vs Argentina.

Netherlands: 1 Italian Serie A Player called up with Netherlands National Football Team:

• AC Milan midfielder Nigel De Jong, played 62 minutes after being replaced by Jordi Clasie.

Argentina:   7 Italian Serie A players called up with Argentina National Football team:

• Catania goalkeeper Mariano Andujar, did not play, listed among subs.
• Napoli forward Gonzalo Higuain, played 82 minutes and replaced by Sergio Aguero.
• Napoli defender Federico Fernandez, did not play, listed among subs.
• Inter defender Hugo Campagnaro, did not play, listed among subs.
• Lazio midfielder Lucas Biglia, played all game.
• Inter Milan midfielder Ricardo Alvarez, did not play, listed among subs.
• Inter Milan forward Rodrigo Palacio, played 9 minutes and extra time after replacing midfielder Enzo Perez in the 81st minute.
  

In the 15th minute, Argentina with a clear chance to score from a direct free kick.  Forward Lionel Messi delivering a right footed shot passing the barrier, but the ball directly to the arms of Netherlands goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen  saving with both hands.

In the 17th minute, match delay with a super head clash between Netherlands mifielder Georginio Wijnaldum and  Argentina midfielder Javier Mascherano… it is Mascherano to have the worst part and fall on the ground…. it seems a sub?   Mascherano receiving medical attention… and he is returning back to the field… he will continue…

Referee Cuneyt Cakir giving the first yellow card of the match to Netherlands defender Bruno Martins Indi after a foul on Argentina forward Lionel Messi in the 45th minute.

Netherlands midfielder Nigel de Jong challenging Argentina forward Lionel Messi.

Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal starts the second half with a substitution in the 45th minute replacing defender Bruno Martins Indi with defender Daryl Janmaat.

In the 49th minute, Referee giving a yellow card to Argentina defender Martin Demichelis after a foul on Netherlands midfielder Arjen Robben.

2 Italian Serie A players in action.  Argentina and Lazio midfielder Lucas Biglia challenged by Netherlands and AC Milan midfielder Nigel de Jong.

Netherlands replacing AC Milan midfielder Nigel de Jong in the 62nd minute with midfielder Jordy Clasie.

Argentina making a substitution in the 81st minute replacing midfielder Enzo Perez to bring Inter Milan forward Rodrigo Palacio.

In the 82nd minute, Argentina replacing Napoli forward Gonzalo Higuain to bring forward Sergio “Kun” Aguero.

Going to extra time…..

In the 96th minute Netherlands replacing forward Van Persie with the ex AC Milan forward Klaas Jan Huntelaar.

Staring lineup: NETHERLANDS  (3-5-2):  Jasper Cillessen; Ron Vlaar, Stefan de Vrij, Bruno Martins Indi; Dirk Kuyt, Georginio Wijnaldum, Nigel de Jong, Wesley Sneijder, Daley Blind; Arjen Robben, Robin van Persie.

The AC Milan midfielder Nigel de Jong in the starting lineup.  There is also the ex Inter Milan midfielder Wesley Sneijder.

 

Starting lineup: ARGENTINA (4-3-3):  Sergio Romero; Pablo Zabaleta, Ezequiel Garay, Martin Demichelis, Marcos Rojo; Enzo Pérez, Javier Mascherano, Lucas Biglia; Ezequiel Lavezzi, Lionel Messi, Gonzalo Higuaín.

Napoli forward Gonzalo Higuain and Lazio midfielder Lucas Biglia  in the starting lineup.  There is also the ex Napoli forward Ezequiel “El Pocho” Lavezzi.

Towards the end of the game Netherlands closer to the goal with midfielder Arjen Robben and cleared by Javier Mascherano.

Argentina defender Pablo Zabaleta challenged by Netherlands midfielder Daley Blind.

I love this photo seeing the innocence of the boys rooting for their teams without violence, but enjoying the game.  Netherland and Argentina fans…

Argentina fans before the match ready to support the team

 

2014 FIFA World Cup Semifinals

Netherlands vs Argentina
Wednesday 9 July 2014
Arena de Sao Paulo
Sao Paulo, Brazil

17:00 Local Time

Referee: Cuneyt CAKIR (TUR)
Assistant Referee 1: Bahattin DURAN (TUR)
Assistant Referee 2: Tarik ONGUN (TUR)
Fourth official: Jonas ERIKSSON (SWE)

Goals:

Official Starting Lineups – formation

NETHERLANDS  (3-5-2):  Jasper Cillessen; Ron Vlaar, Stefan de Vrij, Bruno Martins Indi; Dirk Kuyt, Georginio Wijnaldum, Nigel de Jong, Wesley Sneijder, Daley Blind; Arjen Robben, Robin van Persie.

Coach.: van Gaal

ARGENTINA (4-3-3):  Sergio Romero; Pablo Zabaleta, Ezequiel Garay, Martin Demichelis, Marcos Rojo; Enzo Pérez, Javier Mascherano, Lucas Biglia; Ezequiel Lavezzi, Lionel Messi, Gonzalo Higuaín.

Coach: Alejandro Sabella

 

What do you think of the result?