Argentina vs. Netherlands
Kickoff: 1.30 am Sri Lankan Time
Stadium: Corinthians, Sao Paulo
Entering Wednesday's semifinal, Argentina has a chance to return to the World Cup finals for the first time since 1990, having already surpassed the quarterfinals stage where its campaign was halted in three of the last four tournaments. It will face the Netherlands, whom it famously dispatched in the 1978 finals, 3-1.
The winner will take on Germany, who destroyed Brazil 7-1 on Tuesday.
Netherlands striker Robin van Persie may miss the World Cup semi-final after struggling with a stomach complaint.
But midfielder Nigel de Jong could feature after recovering from a groin injury, which was expected to rule him out for the rest of the tournament.
Argentina midfielder Angel Di Maria is out because of a thigh injury but may return in his country's final match.
Striker Sergio Aguero is available after a thigh problem and left-back Marcos Rojo will return after a ban.
Dutch injury doubts Ron Vlaar and Leroy Fer took part in full training on Tuesday, but Van Persie trained away from his team-mates.
In a 1-0 win over Belgium, Argentina showed its defensive mettle by impeding chance after chance against all of Belgium's weapons. It wasn't so much keeper Sergio Romero as it was the back four, including central defenders Ezequiel Garay and Martin Demichelis, who served as the wall in front of Romero. It's equally as important to note that Argentina's eighth-minute goal scorer wasn't Lionel Messi. Instead it was Gonzalo Higuain who struck first, signifying that while the team may be built around Messi, it can survive without his scoring brilliance (at least for one day).
Van Gaal seems to be putting on a personal showcase of his tactical genius at this World Cup that must have Manchester United fans rubbing their hands with glee.
His game-changing decisions have been the difference as they have struggled to match their stunning start to the tournament with that incredible win over Spain.
Few would have predicted they would be one game away from reaching a second successive final, but Van Gaal's unorthodox and inspired decision to bring on goalkeeper Tim Krul for the penalty shootout with Costa Rica increased his reputation as football's master tactician.
Argentina will certainly be without Angel Di Maria (leads his team with 25 shots), who injured his right thigh in the first half against Belgium. Di Maria's absence leaves Messi even more vulnerable to ceaseless man-marking from the Dutch side. Striker Sergio Aguero should return from an injury to his thigh, and perhaps we might see Maxi Rodriguez in place of Di Maria, but needless to say, this puts more pressure on Messi to elude defenders, attack in tight areas, and faciliate.
Goals were scored at a feverish pace during the group stages, while teams have shored up leaky backlines thus far in the elimination rounds (save for, of course, Brazil's abomination on Tuesday). Even though Wednesday's match features the sublime talents of Messi and Robben, don't expect anything other than a one-goal difference, either way. Argentina must also be wary of some late Dutch magic as it's fostered three comeback wins thus far in the World Cup.
