Van Dijk refutes Van Gaal's claim 'World Cup is fixed'

Netherlands national team player Virgil van Dijk and other Dutch players disagree with coach Louis van Gaal's suggestion that Argentina's World Cup 2022 victory was predetermined.

The Netherlands national team gathered this morning, September 5th, to prepare for the Euro 2024 qualifiers, but the issue that captured media attention was the statement made by former coach Van Gaal the previous evening. "The way the Argentinian players scored compared to the Netherlands, or the way they repeatedly went beyond the limits without being punished, shows that this tournament was rigged," the 72-year-old coach said. "To be honest, Messi should be the World Cup champion."

Defender Virgil van Dijk speaks at the Netherlands national team's training session in Zeist, September 5, 2023. Photo: NOS — Defender Virgil van Dijk speaks at the Netherlands national team's training session in Zeist, September 5, 2023. Photo: *NOS*

Van Dijk said he heard Van Gaal's statement this morning, but disagreed. "Everyone has their own opinion, and Van Gaal has the right to express his thoughts," the Netherlands captain said. "However, I don't share his views."

When asked about the current stance of the entire Dutch team, Van Dijk added: "We don't support Van Gaal's opinion."

Goalkeeper Mark Flekken also said that the entire Dutch team had discussed Van Gaal's statement this morning. "If that's Van Gaal's opinion, he has the right to share it with everyone. But I don't agree with his point of view."

Van Dijk took the first penalty for the Netherlands in their 2022 World Cup quarter-final against Argentina, but his shot was saved by goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez. Martinez then saved Steven Berghuis' penalty, contributing to Argentina's 4-3 victory in the shootout.

The match was dubbed "the Battle of Lusail" by the media because referee Mateu Lahoz issued 18 yellow cards, breaking the record for the most cards in a single World Cup match. Lahoz was criticized for issuing overly harsh yellow cards on several occasions, while overlooking Messi's deliberate handball.

Netherlands 2-2 (3-4 pens) Argentina — Key events from the Argentina vs. Netherlands match in the quarter-finals of the 2022 World Cup.

Van Gaal has led the Netherlands to the World Cup finals twice, but both times they lost to Argentina in the knockout rounds, including the semi-finals in 2014 and the quarter-finals in 2022. He and his players used psychological tactics before the match in Lusail, claiming Messi was Argentina's weak link. But the 36-year-old superstar scored, assisted, and scored in the first penalty shootout of the match. After scoring, Messi even ran towards the Dutch coaching staff to provoke them. In a post-match interview, he even called striker Wout Weghorst an "idiot".

Van Gaal resigned as Netherlands national team coach immediately after this match and has not managed any other team since. Ronald Koeman returned to the helm, aiming to help the Netherlands qualify for Euro 2024. They are currently second to last in Group B, but have played two games in hand.

Hoang An

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