FIFA WC Knockout match: Messi's Argentina would like to avoid upset, USA's challenge in front of Netherland

The FIFA World Cup excitement has reached its peak. The knockout rounds are starting from today. Two matches will be played today in the Round of 16. From here on any team will have just one chance. The team will be out of the World Cup if they lose. The process of penalty shootout will also start from today. Extra time of 30 minutes will be given in case of draw at full time. In this also, if the match is a draw, the results of the match will come in the penalty shootout.

Netherlands face USA in today's first round of 16 match. This match will be played from 8.30 pm Indian time. At the same time, the second match is between Australia and Lionel Messi's Argentina. This match will be played from 12:30 pm (December 4) Indian time.

The Netherlands will face a tough challenge from the United States in the pre-quarterfinals of the World Cup on Saturday. The two teams have faced each other in friendly matches before and will now be meeting in the World Cup for the first time. The Netherlands team is ahead of America in statistics but it will not take it lightly.

US coach Greg Verhalter knows the sport in the Netherlands well, having turned professional there 28 years ago. Apart from them, Sergino Dest also has information about the Netherlands. His mother is from Netherlands and father is from America.

In group matches, the US team defeated Senegal and Qatar by identical 2–0 margins, while the match against Ecuador ended in a 1–1 draw. Teammate Cody Gokpo is in great touch. Meanwhile, the US began their campaign in Qatar with a 1-1 draw against Wales. Played a goalless draw against a strong team like England.

In the final group match, the US team defeated Iran 1–0. America's hero Christian Pulisic was injured during the match against Iran. The team won with the help of his only goal. After scoring the goal, he collided with the Iranian goalkeeper and left the field in the second half. He later said that he was fit.

The US team has failed to reach the quarterfinals of the World Cup since 2002. On the other hand, Netherlands has been the runner-up of the World Cup in 1974, 1978 and 2010 but the team failed to qualify in 2018.

After 2002, America has a chance to reach the quarterfinals of the World Cup.

After 2014, the Netherlands team will try to reach the quarter-finals. The Netherlands finished third in 2014 and failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup.

The Netherlands and the United States last met in 2015, with the United States winning 4–3.

The Netherlands team has not faced defeat since 18 matches. The team was defeated by the Czech Republic in the last-16 of the European Championship last year.

Meanwhile, Australia will face World Cup contenders Argentina in today's second round of 16 match. The group stage of the FIFA World Cup has seen upsets including reigning world champions France, Argentina, Germany, Spain, Belgium and Denmark.

Of these, Germany, Belgium and Denmark were eliminated in the group stage itself. Argentina, who lost their opening match 1-2 to Saudi Arabia, will take on Australia in the last 16 at the Ahmed Bin Ali Stadium. Australia's spirits are high after defeating Denmark and reaching the knockouts. She would like to defeat Argentina and reach the quarter-finals of the World Cup for the first time by making another upset.

At the same time, Argentina's team made a strong comeback after the first defeat and made it to the last-16 by topping the group. Argentina captain Lionel Messi, playing in his fifth and almost final World Cup, would like to save the team from another upset and make it to the last eight. In the quarter-finals, the winner will face the winner of the match between Netherlands and USA.

Both the teams will be facing each other for the first time in the World Cup. However, the two countries have met each other seven times in other international tournaments. In these, Argentina has won five and Australia once, while one match was a draw. The first encounter took place in 1988, with Australia winning 4–1.

At the same time, in the last match held in 2007, Argentina won 1-0. And in the 1993 World Cup qualification playoff, Australia drew 1–1 with Argentina, a team that also included the legendary Diego Maradona. Australia's team is playing the pre-quarterfinals after the 2006 World Cup.