Argentina’s win over Netherlands in an in depth FIFA World Cup 2022 quarter-final on Friday stored alive Lionel Messi’s dream of lastly getting his fingers on the much-cherished trophy. At 35, Messi is aware of this will likely be his fifth and last World Cup – and a winner’s medal would burnish his legacy as certainly one of soccer’s best ever gamers, putting him proper alongside compatriot Diego Maradona and Pele.
Argentina appeared poised for a win within the regulation time with a 2-0 margin when a late surge from Netherlands noticed the rating getting levelled at 2-2. The Argentine nice’s workforce lastly gained the match 4-3 in penalties. Issues received heated up within the latter phases of the match as Messi and his teammates misplaced their cool on numerous events. Messi even confronted the Dutch coach Louis van Gaal after the win as different members of the Dutch assist workers stopped him.
Watch: Lionel Messi confronts Dutch coach Louis van Gaal
Messi needed to present Louis van Gaal his place! 🗣️
— Leo Messi 🔟 (@WeAreMessi) December 10, 2022
Speaking in regards to the match, goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez got here to the rescue for Argentina on a outstanding evening of drama by saving two Netherlands penalties within the shootout to ship his nation via to the World Cup semi-finals. The Aston Villa goalkeeper was barely examined for the most effective a part of 90 minutes as Argentina swept right into a two-goal lead earlier than substitute Wout Weghorst engineered an unimaginable Dutch fightback within the quarter-final.
Argentina had been surprised as Weghorst equalised within the eleventh minute of added time, forcing an additional half-hour to the astonishment of the 88,235 in attendance at Lusail Stadium — almost all of these rooting for Lionel Messi and his teammates.
However Martinez seized his alternative to be the hero simply when it appeared as if Argentina had been set to face extra World Cup agony, flying to his proper to palm away Virgil van Dijk’s opening effort from the spot.
After Messi, who had doubled Argentina’s lead in the course of the recreation with a penalty, coolly rolled residence his workforce’s first try, Martinez flung himself to his left to disclaim Steven Berghuis.
Enzo Fernandez drilled extensive with the possibility to win it for Argentina, however Lautaro Martinez made no mistake with their following kick, establishing a conflict with 2018 runners-up Croatia.
With AFP inputs
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