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<p>If there’s one team that deserves redemption at the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/category/world-cup-2022/">World Cup</a>, it is the Netherlands. The Dutch eleven reached the World Cup final three times. Each time, it fell tragically as runners-up.</p>
<p>In two of those, the Dutch lost to the host nations, West Germany in 1974 and Argentina in 1978, respectively. Their dominant run as contenders came in an era where the Dutch displayed ‘<a href="https://www.goal.com/en/news/what-is-total-football-famous-tactics-explained-the-clubs/w5yd5dzofn4p17ewmav4atk2b">total football</a>‘ – a free-flowing and fluid soccer style.</p>
<p>That era of the 1970s prompted a Netherlands side that always entered tournaments as a contender. Johan Cruyff, perhaps the most influential player in the history of the sport, revolutionized the game. His ‘Cruyff Turn’ came out on full display against Sweden in 1974. Cruyff bamboozled the defender with a fake and reverse in a single move.</p>
<p>The 1974 final played in Munich was a one-sided second half. The Dutch pressed into their attacking third with a relentless pursuit for the equalizer. Yet, the Dutch lost, 2-1, failing to capitalize on a dozen shot opportunities. Despite the result, the consensus among fans was that the Netherlands was the better team, but they were simply unlucky.</p>
<p>However, that was not the case in Buenos Aires against Oswaldo Ardiles and Mario Kempes in 1978. Argentina dominated the Dutch, 3-1, en route to the country’s first World Cup win.</p>
<p>The Oranje’s third attempt at glory came during South Africa 2010. Spain’s short and quick passing style, and Andres Iniesta’s extra time goal, proved key for La Furia Roja’s first World Cup trophy. In reality, this match was inseparable. Arjen Robben missed a major chance on a breakaway that may have been the difference in favor of the Netherlands.</p>
<h5>A bitter rival</h5>
<p>The Netherlands certainly holds something of a grudge with Germany, Argentina and Spain for those games. Yet, another South American side is at the center of the Dutch’s most notable battles.</p>
<p>The Netherlands has a tale of bitter dissension with Brazil. In the quarterfinals of USA 1994, goals from Romário, Bebeto and Dunga eliminated the Dutch, 3-2. Just four years later, Philip Cocu and Ronald de Boer missed their penalties as Brazil advanced in their semifinal tie.</p>
<p>However, the tale of dissension became a rivalry in South Africa 2010. The Flying Dutchmen regained honor with a 2-1 win in the quarterfinals. Two Wesley Sneijder goals sent the side to the semis. Then, four years later, the Netherlands bested Brazil again. This time, it came in the third-place playoff with a dominant 3-0 win in Brazil’s capital.</p>
<h5>Golden Boot</h5>
<p>Throughout the highs and lows, the Netherlands is responsible for some of the most famous soccer players in history.</p>
<p>For example, legends like Johan Cruyff, Edgar Davids, Wesley Sneijder and Ruud Gullit played in World Cups for Holland. The latter of those was the forward and captain who led the Oranje to their first and only major championship. That team won Euro 1998 with players like Marco van Basten, Ronald Koeman and Frank Rijkaard.</p>
<p>Russia 2018 served as a turning point for a new generation for Dutch players. The Netherlands failed to qualify for that World Cup. Now, many players on the side enter with a chip on their shoulder with a historical microscope on them.</p>
<p>The Netherlands is the last ‘powerhouse’ country yet to win a World Cup.</p>
<div><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-135065 aligncenter" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/WST_20220628_WST_391048_Holland.webp&amp;width=594&amp;height=403" alt="" width="594" height="403" srcset="https://worldsoccertalk.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2015/03/Holland.jpg 594w, https://worldsoccertalk.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2015/03/Holland-150x101.jpg 150w, https://worldsoccertalk.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2015/03/Holland-300x203.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 594px) 100vw, 594px"></figure></div>
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<h3>The Netherlands looks to break World Cup dud</h3>
<p>Throughout the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualification, the Netherlands finished atop its standings. However, due to the format of the World Cup draw, the Dutch actually entered as a ‘group 2’ team. Therefore, it was in the same boat as the USA, Switzerland and Germany, among others.</p>
<p>The Netherlands drew into Group A. The other members of that group are Senegal, Ecuador and the hosts, Qatar. Though the Netherlands is the true headliner of this Group, Qatar was automatically assigned to position A1 as the host nation.</p>
<p>The Flying Dutchmen look to break their dry spell and win Holland’s first World Cup. Led by Liverpool center-back and team captain Virgil van Dijk and the hybrid player Memphis Depay from Barcelona.</p>
<h5>Stars lead the way</h5>
<p>As a <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/2021/09/11/memphis-depay-already-under-microscope-at-barcelona/">No. 9 for Barcelona</a>, Depay is the go-to goal scorer for both club and country. However, he wears the No. 10 for his national team – a number assigned to a creative distributor. Using this amalgamation of roles, Memphis Depay capitalized by scoring 12 goals in 10 games for the Oranje during qualifications.</p>
<p>Wearing the famed No. 10, Memphis Depay walks in the shoes of predecessors like retired elite midfielder Wesley Sneijder – who led the Dutch to the final in 2010, and former forward Dennis Bergkamp, who was constantly criticized for aggressive behavior on the field, despite his brilliant style of play.</p>
<p>The goal-scoring momentum seems to be swinging in Memphis Depay’s favor as the Barça man put the ball in the back of the net 11 times in 24 matches in La Liga’s 2021/22 season. Depay is eight goals shy of breaking the Dutch national record, with Robin van Persie sitting atop the ranks with 50 goals. With a confident goal scorer, the Netherlands have realistic expectations for World Cup glory in Qatar. Louis van Gaal’s Dutchmen are overwhelming favorites to win Group A at -160 odds and +1600 to win the tournament.</p>
<h5>Opening fixtures</h5>
<p>Historically, less than 10% of teams advance from their Group after losing matchday one at the World Cup. Therefore, it becomes imperative for the Dutch to beat Senegal – ‘the dark horse’ of Group A. The Lions of Teranga have a roster filled with elite players from the Premier League and will be a force to be reckoned with as they compete against the Dutch XI when the 2022 FIFA World Cup kicks off on Nov. 21 in Doha.</p>
<p><em>PHOTO: Eric Verhoeven/Soccrates/Getty Images – PEDRO UGARTE/AFP/Getty Images</em></p>


The Netherlands is perhaps the unluckiest team when it comes to the FIFA World Cup. Three trips to the Final, but no wins to show for it.

Netherlands looks to snap World Cup dud at Qatar 2022 - World Soccer Talk

Netherlands looks to snap World Cup dud at Qatar 2022

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<p>In the prior ages of the late 2010s, Barcelona developed a tendency to rely on its stars, particularly in major games like El Clásico.</p>
<p>This trend remained a somewhat feasible strategy due to the play of those like Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez. However, the multitude of financial issues forced one of Spain’s most historic clubs to face the music.</p>
<p>Those three players are gone. Ernesto Valverde, Quique Setien and Ronald Koeman, scapegoats of the Barcelona board, forced out of the club. Joan Laporta reassumed the presidency of the Catalan side. Essentially, the Barcelona we see now shares just a handful of similarities with those sides of old.</p>
<p>Gerard Pique, Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba and Marc-André ter Stegen remained with the side since its UEFA Champions League triumph seven years ago. Also, Dani Alves returned from travels across the world playing at the tender age of 38.</p>
<p>The modern Barcelona side does not depend on these players. Rather, there is a core of young talent that looks set to blossom into stars.</p>
<p>A midfield triumvirate of Pedri, Frenkie de Jong and Gavi already boss games in LaLiga.</p>
<p>The attacking options may not be&nbsp;<em>as young</em> as those in the midfield, but it is certainly a new look. Adama Traore, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Ousmane Dembele and Ferran Torres are the main goal-scoring culprits.</p>
<p>At the head of it all is the manager. Xavi made a substitute appearance for Barcelona in that 2015 Champions League Final. It was his last appearance for the Blaugrana. He understands the power of wearing that storied shirt, which will soon have Spotify on the front.</p>
<p>Still, let’s not jump too far ahead. El Clásico may not have the stars of the prior generation, but the game’s next stars look set for a crucial battle on Sunday.</p>
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<h5>Turning the page</h5>
<p>With Sunday’s Clásico being the second meeting between the Spanish giants this season, this is not the beginning of a new era. In fact, most of the players slated to start against Real Madrid played last season or the year prior. Moreover, the two sides met in Saudi Arabia in January during the semi-final of the Supercopa de España.</p>
<p>Federico Valverde’s 98th-minute winner for Los Blancos continues a trend of dominance for the side from the Capital. Over the last five meetings in all competitions, Real Madrid has five wins. Carlo Ancelotti’s squad has two of those wins in the last six months. To go along with the Supercopa de España win, Real Madrid <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/2021/10/22/a-new-era-of-el-clasico-set-to-begin-with-sundays-fixture/">knocked off the Catalans at Camp Nou</a> in October, 2-1.</p>
<p>In Xavi’s time as a player for the Blaugrana, he played in <a href="https://www.fcbarcelona.com/en/football/first-team/news/2442211/xavi-hernandezs-clasico-record">42 games</a> against the club’s biggest rival. Not only was the rivalry more balanced in those times, but it actually leaned somewhat in favor of Barcelona. Barcelona managed 17 wins, 12 draws and 13 defeats against Real. Xavi contributed five goals and eight assists in that time.</p>
<p>As stated previously, those glory years of Iniesta and Xavi feeding Messi goals are well in the past. This will be the Spaniard’s second time managing in a Clásico and the first one in Spain.</p>
<p>He has Barcelona playing some of their best soccer since Luis Enrique. While it is still early, ‘Xavi ball’ brought a renewed sense of joy to a dull, and <a href="https://en.as.com/en/2021/10/21/opinion/1634803277_366342.html">sometimes empty Camp Nou</a>.</p>
<p>What Xavi has is a project headlined by the liked of Pedri, Gavi, Frenkie de Jong and Ansu Fati, even if the latter remains plagued by injuries. This contest against Real Madrid serves as a trendsetter for the future, with some immediate implications as well.</p>
<h3>Barcelona’s new age</h3>
<p>You may be asking yourself how this weekend’s El Clásico differs from the one back in October. After all, I called it the start of a new era of El Clásico.</p>
<p>However, that Barcelona side pales in comparison to the one Xavi trots out each week now. Granted, the players are the same. Ansu Fati remains injured and the future of Ousmane Dembele is still uncertain. Albeit, the Frenchman’s performances are something Xavi will want to keep.</p>
<p>Still, Sunday’s fixture between the two Spanish giants is the chance for a statement game from Barcelona. It’s one thing to score four goals and beat clubs like Valencia, Athletic Club and Atletico Madrid. Doing that puts the club in contention for the top four, something that looked bleak in the reverse fixture of El Clásico.</p>
<p>It is another thing to be on the same level as Real Madrid. Not only is Real set to claim record-35th Spanish top flight crown, but Los Blancos make mince meat of the Spanish competition. They are 10 points clear at the top. Coincidentally, Real only dropped points in eight games this season. Interestingly, Sevilla and Real both have just two losses. The difference is that Sevilla has five more draws than the team from the capital.</p>
<p>Barcelona is just on the outside of that title race, if it can be called that. But, on the flip side, Barcelona is now in the top-four, looking set for Champions League qualification. The current crop of players with young ages make a difference week in and week out.</p>
<p>It feels strange to even write that, as it should be no less than a guarantee that Barcelona finishes as one of the four best teams in Spain in a given year. That speaks to the situation the Barcelona board put themselves in.</p>
<div id="attachment_30" style="width: 778px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><div><figure class="image"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-30" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-30" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/WST_20220319_WST_375955_bc14d33d231cf68194be5a111b01850013e5b47b.webp&amp;width=768&amp;height=557" alt="" width="768" height="557"></figure></div><p id="caption-attachment-30" class="wp-caption-text">Photo credit: AFP</p></div>
<h5><span style="font-size: 16px;">Enjoyment, then results</span></h5>
<p>Over the past several years, smiles were seldom around Camp Nou. They would come in doses, like when Barcelona won the Copa del Rey last season or LaLiga in 2018/19. Or, when Barcelona dismantled Liverpool in the first leg of the 2018/19 Champions League semifinal. Lionel Messi was at his brilliant best. That was the worst-case scenario for Barcelona.</p>
<p>A lack of a supporting cast and a dejected feel from the Argentine set the stage for frustration as the new decade came along.</p>
<p>Xavi’s arrival seems to have changed all that. From the onset, Barcelona’s social media pages showed the players laughing at training, looking more like teammates than coworkers.</p>
<p>Debates continue about the effectiveness of this happiness at training. What cannot be debated are the results. After a rocky start including elimination from the Champions League and just three wins in his first eight official games, ‘Xavi ball’ is in full swing.</p>
<p>January brought a little more frustration. Athletic Club and Real Madrid knocked the Catalans out of the two most likely options for major trophies, the Copa del Rey and the Supercopa de España. However, those are Barcelona’s only two losses in the calendar year. Coupled with nine wins and four draws, Barcelona reasserted itself as a good, maybe not great, team.</p>
<p>But look beyond the scoreline of the games, and you see Barcelona plays with a style, somewhat emblematic of the&nbsp;<em>tiki-taka&nbsp;</em>style that Xavi tortured the opposition with during his trophy-laden career as a player.</p>
<p>Calling this a new age for Barcelona is ironic. Pedri’ and Frenkie de Jong’s midfield creativity and the fear Adama Traore or Ousmane Dembele impose on the flanks looks like Barcelona went back in time.</p>
<h5>The next step</h5>
<p>That is why Sunday’s El Clásico is paramount for Barcelona. Looking across the expected lineup based on recent outings, and many of these players have either not beaten Real Madrid, or even played them at all.</p>
<p>Pedri and Frenkie, both frequent names throughout this piece and on Barcelona’s team sheet, have experience playing Real Madrid. However, both players only arrived ahead of the 2019/20 season. Frustration is certainly mounting for them to clear the white hurdle.</p>
<p>Real Madrid is the gold standard in Spain right now. A good mix of experience headlined by Toni Kroos, Luka Modric and a blazing-hot Karim Benzema combines well with the likes of Vinicius Junior and a (26-year-old) Marco Asensio.</p>
<p>The statement from October over the fact that this is a new generation of El Clásico remains the same. Yet, Barcelona must move on into a new age of its own. The flair seems to be coming back. Now Xavi must show the young players what it takes to unseat the best side in Spain.</p>


ALL POSTS TAGGED "Frenkie de Jong"

Netherlands

Netherlands looks to snap World Cup dud at Qatar 2022

Barcelona

Barcelona seeks new age by ending El Clásico struggles