Van Persie a doubt for semi-final

TEAM NEWS

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.

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Netherlands v Argentina: Louis van Gaal - score first, stop Lionel Messi

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.

However, manager Louis van Gaal said the Manchester United striker would only play if he was completely fit.

"Robin van Persie has an intestinal problem and I didn't want to take a risk," said Van Gaal. "He is a very important player for us.

"In principle, my captains always play, but only if they're 100%."

AC Milan's De Jong has not played since tearing a groin muscle during his side's 2-1 victory over Mexico in the last 16 on 29 June.

He was expected to be out for up to four weeks, but has returned to training.

"If his reaction is good and he can play, then the miracle can come true," added Van Gaal.

MATCH PREVIEW

There is a growing feeling that this could be Argentina's World Cup. Despite not reaching the peak of their powers, they are in their first World Cup semi-final since 1990, and in Lionel Messi they have a player on a personal mission to rubber stamp his place in the pantheon of greats.

Watch super sub Tim Krul save the day for Netherlands

Belgium coach Marc Wilmots dismissed them as "ordinary" after their quarter-final match, and while there is no doubt this side is not as good as their 1986 counterparts, no team with Messi in it can ever be ordinary.

His first-half performance against the Belgians was sublime and although he didn't get a goal or the man-of-the-match award, his overall contribution and unwavering commitment to the team was such that it showed how much winning this tournament means to him.

"He was our water in the desert," said Argentina coach Alejandro Sabella. "When the terrain was dry, he, once again, gave us a chance to breathe fresh air."

The Argentine media calculated that it has been 8,771 days since they last played in a World Cup semi-final. This match falls on 9 July, which just so happens to be Independence Day in Argentina, and excitement back home will be at fever pitch.

Further inspiration to win has been provided by the sad passing of legendary Argentina-born forward Alfredo Di Stefano this week.

Their previous World Cup encounters with the Netherlands have provided some epic moments in the tournament's history that will hopefully be repeated in Sao Paulo.

Gonzalo Higuain puts Argentina into lead

Their first meeting in 1974 saw the Dutch win 4-0 with an astonishing display of 'total football', before Argentina got revenge in thrilling style in the final on home soil four years later. Dennis Bergkamp provided another magic moment with his memorable control and finish for the Oranje in 1998, before their last meeting lacked a similar spark - a dull 0-0 draw in 2006.

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. "He is proving it in this tournament and he has shown what tactical qualities he has," said an admiring and grateful Krul.

MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head

• Argentina's victory over the Netherlands in the 1978 final is the only time they have beaten the Dutch in eight meetings in all competitions (D3, L4).
• They haven't met for eight years since a 0-0 draw at the 2006 World Cup.
• Lionel Messi (29), Arjen Robben and Angel Di María (both 25) are the players with most completed dribbles in this tournament.

Argentina

• This is Argentina's first World Cup semi-final since 1990, when they went on to lose to Germany in the final.
• They have never lost a World Cup semi-final, winning the previous four.
• Each of Argentina's five wins at this tournament have come by a single goal margin.
• They are yet to be behind once in their five matches so far.
• Not including penalty shootouts, they have lost just one of their last 16 World Cup matches (W12, D3).
• Lionel Messi has created 19 goalscoring chances in this World Cup, the most of any player.
• Argentina have scored with 11% of their shots from outside the box, the best success rate of any side at this World Cup.
• This is the first time Argentina and Brazil have made the semi-final stage at the same tournament.
• Gonzalo Higuain ended a goal drought of 528 minutes without a goal for Argentina when he scored the winner against Belgium. He now has as many World Cup goals as Lionel Messi, despite having played four games less.

Netherlands

• This is the Netherlands' third semi-final appearance in their last four World Cup finals.
• Netherlands have lost just two of their 12 World Cup games against South American teams, not including penalty shootouts (1978 final v Argentina and 1994 quarter-final v Brazil).
• Against Costa Rica, the Dutch made 692 passes, the most they've recorded in a single World Cup match (1966-2014).
• Ten of the Netherlands' 12 goals in this tournament have come after half-time and their last four goals have come after the 75th minute.
• In their quarter-final, the Netherlands recorded the 11th instance of a team hitting the woodwork three times in a World Cup match (1966-2014).
• The Dutch are the only team to concede more than one penalty at this World Cup.
• Wesley Sneijder has played more World Cup games than any other Dutchman (16).
• Their shoot-out victory over Costa Rica was their sixth in major tournament history and they have now won two and lost four. It was the first time they have converted all their penalties in a shootout in a major tournament.
• They have had seven different goalscorers at this World Cup, more than any team.

MOST RECENT MEETING

Netherlands 0-0 Argentina (21 June 2006)