Messi and Robben eye immortality

When you think of Argentina v Netherlands matches you think of Mario Kempes, Johan Cruyff, Dennis Bergkamp and Ariel Ortega. The expectation is that tonight we will see either Lionel Messi or Arjen Robben either match or exceed those feats, and take their countries towards a watershed moment.

It’s 8,711 days since Argentina have been in a World Cup semi-final, but there are signs that this side is ready to move out from underneath the shadow of Diego Maradona and make their own history — starting in their fiercest rivals’ own backyard.

The Dutch have never won the World Cup, but there has been a growing sense that this is their time.

To do so they will have to quell the impact of a man many believe is the closest thing Argentina has to God in Messi.

Fortunately from a Dutch point of view, they have a man who may perhaps believe he himself is the closest thing there is to a divine power on this earth in Louis Van Gaal.

One is a master tactician, adept at building orange-clad defences that seem almost impenetrable; the other a diminutive genius who is convinced he can knock down anything that stands in his way.

But there is cynicism at play in a World Cup semi-final. Both sides will do whatever it takes to win, and Argentina are well aware that Robben can destroy their dream.

Scorer of three goals, Robben is perhaps — with James Rodriguez — the only man who can challenge Messi for player of the tournament at this stage. So it is that Argentina cheerfully declare they will attack and target him, hoping to make the Bayern Munich man kneel at their feet.

“We have to be aggressive, to show the passion of the Argentine players to the Dutch — and especially to Robben,” says Argentina defender Martin Demichelis. “He doesn’t like physical contact, so you have to make him feel it and get under his skin. He is a phenomenon and it is vital to know which way he goes.

“But he’s not got much edge, he’s not a fighter. Therefore you have to attack him because the more you stand off, the nearer to the goal you take him and the less margin of error you have.”

It is quite an astonishing thing to say the day before a World Cup semi- final, and could come back to haunt Demichelis. That said, it will not unduly perturb Van Gaal, a man whose self-belief can only have rocketed after this tournament. Since taking the Dutch job in 2012, his record in competitive games is a scarcely believable tally of 14 wins, one draw, no defeats, 46 goals scored and nine conceded.

When you are able to switch your goalkeepers ahead of a penalty shoot-out in a World Cup quarter- final then you have to believe you are untouchable.

Van Gaal can’t be far off. He was relaxed and polite in his press conference yesterday, paying Messi and Argentina all manner of compliments in between urging Dutch parents to let their children stay up to watch a match that kicks off at 10pm their time.

Robin Van Persie is a doubt due to a stomach problem and missed training yesterday, but Van Gaal would not be drawn on the outcome of the game.

“I don’t think there is a favourite,” he said. “We have to be a bit lucky. The coin has to face your way, that’s how we say it in Dutch. I believe Messi was once elected the best footballer in the world. That’s not for nothing, there is a reason for that.

“At the most important stage he can always pull it off. He has found it difficult to show that at a national level but he wants to change that at this tournament and we want to stop him from doing that. That will be quite a challenge.”

But what of Messi? The theory goes that if you stop him you stop Argentina. After five stunning displays so far in this competition, that theory may not be too far off.

Argentina firmly believe this World Cup is their destiny. Over 75,000 fans crossed the border to attend their last match in this city, against Switzerland in the last 16, and more than that should be here for this game.

There have been battles with the police and trouble in the stands, with the Albiceleste bringing an edge and an intimidating atmosphere with them throughout their travels on their biggest enemies’ soil.

Again, the beautiful game has not been much in evidence, either from the supporters or the team — with the glorious exception of Messi.

“As a player, winning a World Cup is the best there is,” Messi said yesterday. “To play a World Cup final with the great atmosphere of the Maracana is something that every player dreams of, but first we have to make sure we get there.”

This game genuinely is too close to call. In the past it was settled on moments of individual genius, by players intent on writing their names into history.

Now we will see if any of them can do the same tonight.