World Cup Opta Stats: Argentina to end 24-year final wait

Gonzalo Higuain scored and hit the woodwork against Belgium

Argentina haven't contested a World Cup final since 1990, but their drought should end against the Netherlands...

Netherlands v Argentina
Wednesday, 21:00
Live on ITV

Match Odds: Netherlands 3.45n/a, Argentina 2.466/4, The Draw 3.259/4

The Albiceleste have progressed from all three of their World Cup semi-finals

Argentina don't get to World Cup semi-finals anywhere near as often as a nation with their back catalogue of brilliant footballers should do, but when they do make it, they never waste the chance, securing passage to all three finals open to them and winning two of them. The Netherlands are the polar opposite, working their way into trophy-earning opportunities more frequently than would be expected without converting them, losing three World Cup finals and a semi-final, as well as falling at this stage on the last three occasions that they ventured that far at the European Championship.

Best Bet: Back Argentina to qualify @ 1.768/11

Ten of the Netherlands' 12 goals in this tournament have come after half-time

The Netherlands have gone three matches without scoring a first-half goal, a pattern coinciding with Robin van Persie's dimming impact, as the 2010 runners-up rely on Louis van Gaal to change games from the bench rather than vindicating his starting selections. Argentina by contrast have netted in the first eight minutes of three of their five encounters, with Opta noting that they haven't trailed for a single minute all tournament. The Netherlands are therefore likely to be tasked with coming from behind for the third time this summer.

Recommended Bet: Back Argentina to score the next (first) goal @ 1.981/1

Argentina have won both their knockout stage games in this tournament 1-0

Admittedly, the first of those was an after-extra-time 1-0 triumph over Switzerland, but the last one was an authentic 90-minute success against Belgium. Every single one of their victories has come by a one-goal margin, with the group-stage victory over Iran adding to the 1-0 tally. A one-goal win is a favoured flavour of World Cup semi-finals, with four of their six that have taken place this century ending with this scoreline.

Recommended Bet: Back Argentina to win 1-0 @ 7.613/2