Their first FIFA World Cup matchup took place on 26 June; Johan Cruyff scored two goals in a victory for the Netherlands, which saw the Dutch defeat Argentina 4–0.

[5][7] The two teams met again in the 1978 FIFA World Cup final, with Argentina avenging their 1974 loss, defeating the Netherlands 3–1, after extra time.

[13] The game was also notable for featuring an 18-year-old Diego Maradona, who joined Argentina's roster due to a leg injury to Kempes.

The Netherlands' Patrick Kluivert and Argentina's Claudio López traded goals early in the match, before each side had a player sent off (Arthur Numan of the Netherlands for two yellow cards, Ariel Ortega for a headbutt on Dutch goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar after the Argentina playmaker dived in the penalty area).

[18] Another friendly between the two sides took place in February 2003; it saw Giovanni van Bronckhorst score a late goal in the 87th minute to give the Dutch a 1–0 victory.

Prior to the match, Dutch manager Louis van Gaal stated "we've got a score to settle with Argentina for what happened two World Cups ago".

[24] Wout Weghorst, a late-game substitution for the Netherlands scored 2 goals, including one in the eleventh and final minute of stoppage time to help the Dutch even the game at 2–2.

[24] Between Weghorst's two goals, both benches cleared and players from both teams engaged in a scuffle due to a harsh foul from Leandro Paredes and the ball being kicked toward the Dutch sideline.

[26] Lautaro Martínez converted on Argentina's fifth attempt to send them to the semi-finals en route to their third FIFA World Cup victory.