Holland vs. Argentina: It’s a battle of the world’s best dribblers as Messi faces Robben

The World Cup’s best dribblers — Lionel Messi and Arjen Robben — face off when Argentina and Holland meet in the semi-finals on Wednesday, according to AP.

In Brazil, Robben has been quick, Messi has been quicksilver.

In Sao Paulo, either one could turn the semifinal with a dazzling turn of pace or a weaving run to propel his team to the final.

“We have to cut the supply line to Messi,” Dutch defender Bruno Martins Indi said. The Barcelona star led Argentina through the group stage with four goals. He has also made 180 passes in his five matches so far.

Holland have shared the goal-scoring duties more evenly — Robben and Robin van Persie each have three, Memphis Depay has two of the team’s total of 12 — but the Bayern Munich winger’s scintillating sprints with the ball have often been the highlights of Oranje matches.

“We know that we will play against one of the best teams when it comes to counterattacks because of the speed of their men up front,” Argentina midfielder Javier Mascherano said. “So we have to take precautions to not give them the possibility to counterattack, to always be well positioned, to not lose balls unnecessarily in areas where there’s a lot of risk.”

After scoring 10 times in group play, the Netherlands have managed only two in its two knock-out matches and the Dutch will be hoping captain Van Persie regains his touch in front of goal. He looked off the pace and missed an easy chance near the end of regulation time in the quarterfinal against Costa Rica.

The Netherlands will again be without their powerful midfield controller Nigel de Jong, who has a torn groin muscle. A possible replacement, Leroy Fer, is recovering from a hamstring injury and it is not clear if he will be fit for Wednesday’s semifinal at the Itaquerao Stadium.

Argentina will be without Real Madrid winger Angel Di Maria, who is injured, but striker Sergio Aguero has been declared fit after recovering from a similar problem. “He’s a good player, but we look at the whole team, not one player,” Holland goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen said.

The two sides have a long World Cup history, including one of the Netherlands’ most heart-breaking losses. “It will be revenge if we win the World Cup,” Cillessen said. “But we have to wait for that. It’s not a final. It’s a semi.”