Argentina defeated the Netherlands 4-3 on penalties after a thrilling 2-2 extra-time stalemate in a World Cup quarterfinal classic to advance to the semifinals against Croatia.
After Argentina blew a two-goal lead that Lionel Messi helped create in the waning minutes of regulation, goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez emerged as the winner for the South Americans in the penalty shootout.
As the Netherlands rallied with seven minutes left in regulation time to force overtime, substitute Wout Weghorst of the Netherlands scored two late goals, the second coming from an innovative free-kick in stoppage time.
After Messi produced a brilliant assist for Nahuel Molina and a precise goal from the penalty spot, Argentina appeared to be headed for the round of four.
Messi exclaimed, “It’s a lot of relief and joy.”
We didn’t want penalties or overtime.
The way everything turned out caused us too much suffering, but it is still the World Cup quarterfinals.
When it was our turn, we knew how to endure pain, but we made it to the semifinals.
He continued, “It’s lovely, something amazing.”
Since 1992, the Dutch have now lost six of their previous eight shootouts in major championships, which was a very disappointing finale to their campaign for them.
“Despite our best efforts, we failed despite practicing penalties all year.
What a shame “coach Louis van Gaal commented.
I want to have everything under control since I’m a coach.
I requested the players to take penalties for their clubs because of this, and they all did.
However, you will lose if you miss two.
A streak like this is impossible to overcome, he remarked.
With the overwhelming majority of the 88,235 spectators supporting the South American squad and only a few people wearing orange shirts, the Lusail Stadium was transformed into Argentina’s home field.
But everyone enjoyed the gripping late-night drama, which ended on Saturday just before 1 a.m. local time.
Ten minutes before halftime, after a tentative beginning, Messi had an epiphanic moment and scored the opening goal for his team.
His brilliant reverse pass between Daley Blind and Virgil van Dijk into the path of Molina, who timed his move perfectly and slotted home with the outside of his foot, helped him break up the Dutch defense without giving any indication of his intentions.
After the break, Van Gaal changed things up by inserting Teun Koopmeiners and Steven Berghuis into the middle of the field in lieu of Bergwijn and Marten De Roon.
However, despite having plenty of possession of the ball, the Dutch’s style was too predictable and careless.
Free-kick genius
After Denzel Dumfries fouled Marcos Acuna in the box, the Argentines rightfully increased their lead. Messi scored the penalty kick with ease, burying the ball in the corner.
But the Dutch weren’t going out without a fight, and Weghorst’s angled glancing header from a deep Berghuis cross gave them a goal seven minutes from time.
Dutch hopes and tempers flared with a few mass brawls during the ten minutes of additional time, so they shifted Van Dijk up front and pounded balls into the box.
One of those high balls resulted in a free kick right outside the box deep into the extra time.
To everyone’s surprise, Weghorst received a short pass from Koopmeiners instead of the anticipated shot he had pretended to take. Weghorst then maneuvered around Enzo Fernandez to score the equalizer.
After the raucous celebrations were over, the game entered extra time and oddly fell silent. It didn’t pick up again until late in the second period.
In the tense final two minutes, Fernandez’s long-range attempt was stopped by the post, Lautaro Martinez forced Noppert to make a diving save, Messi missed the target.
After that, there were consequences.
Argentina gained a 2-0 lead with to Martinez’s saves against Van Dijk and Berghuis.
This time, Argentina held on to win the shoot-out and advance to the semi-finals despite Fernandez’s miss. There was no way back for the Dutch.
