Depends on whether you think being Top 5 in the world qualifies you as great. I don't. They are one of the favourites in a WC devoid of outstanding teams, where the top teams all have fairly obvious weaknesses and anyone left in the tournament has a realistic chance of winning it. In fact, I'd say, teams seem to be going out of their way to avoid putting a marker down that signifies them as the team to beat. Even if they do go on to win it, this Dutch side is a pale imitation of the truly great sides of 74 and 78, and even - though to a lesser extent - the late 80s and early 90s ones.
I don't think the tourney is devoid of outstanding teams, I just think some of the lesser knowns are catching up to the big boys. Germany ans Brazil can still put on a clinic at any give moment imho.
Much like Germany did against the US, a few great defensive plays and saves by Howard or it's at least 3-0 I agree, with the game catching up to it's worldwide popularity in terms of play you see much improved sides from places you might not expect. Iran has a few players in Germany, Japan has players in Serie A and the Premier League as does Korea. Algeria, Ivory Coast, Ghana all have good players in France.
referee in Argentina/Switzerland is incompetent or corrupt. Apparently he's also a multi-millionaire. Sepp Blatter in the crowd
Great is a relative term. They're one of the few sides capable of winning the World Cup. That makes them great. Comparing the 2014 Netherlands squad to teams from the '70s is futile. Finally, the key here is the English announcers going out of their way to say they're not great, which carries an added implication.
halftime of extra time Argentina outshooting the Swiss 22-11, time of possession 64%, corners 11-4 scoreless
Drama at the end. Swiss dove and got a free kick just outside the box, as added time expired free kick blocked, game over 1-0 in extra time
Belgium missed so many opportunities. In soccer, if you miss this many chances, in the end you lose. Let's see if it will happen again
