Battle of Geniuses: Messy left foot v LVG's Abracadabra

In his whacky element after Tim Krul saved Costa Rica's two penalties when he replaced Jasper Cillessen despite having played zero minutes prior, Dirty Tackle's Brooks Peck, wrote of Louis Van Gaal thus:

"After this, it's difficult to predict what other tricks Van Gaal will pull out. Defenders walking on their hands? Players wearing their kits backwards? Arjen Robben staying on his feet? We cannot know what systematic madness he has in store next. We can only plead for mercy."

At this point, Peck added: "You should assume that Van Gaal knows all of your Internet passwords."

It is a feeling probably going through Argentina coach Alejandro Sabela' ahead of their semifinal tie against The Netherlands at the Arena de Sao Paolo on Wednesday.

All statistics point to a close encounter that is likely to be decided by one special player or just a moment of brilliance from either side's player.

It is here that Barcelona's four-time World player of the Year, Lionel Messi, comes into the equation.

Messi has not added to his four goals in the last two fixtures, but throughout the tournament he has been the nerve centre of Albiceleste attacks. A goal or a deadly pass is always waiting to happen from his messy left foot.

Messi's encounter with Louis Van Gaal makes for a compelling spectacle of two characters the football world agrees are geniuses of their trade.

The Argentine number 10 is no doubt a special player, but make no mistake for Van Gaal knows all too well he needs VIP treatment.

The Dutchman's work may have been lessened with the absence of Angle di Maria, Argentina's second best creative player at this tournament.

Van Gaal, however, is without two of his midfield hard men Leroy Fer and Nigel de Jong and defender Ron Vlaar.

The Dutch will also be wary with the return to scoring form of Gonzalo Higuain, who netted a sumptuous goal against Belgium.

Manchester City forward Sergio Aguero is also back and would add to Argentina's Arsenal.

Whoever controls the midfield and, whichever coach manages to cage each other's livewire, Arjen Robben (Netherlands) and Messi (Argentina) could carry the day.

But like their 1998 quarterfinal clash, it may take a special player and a special goal to settle this clash. Dennis Bergkamp broke the Argentines with a superb strike in 1998, a minute to the end of that fixture.

Patrick Kluivert, now on The Netherlands bench, had scored after 12 minutes before Claudio Lopez equalized five minutes later. The script could be the same on Wednesday.