Lionel Messi inspired Argentina to victory over the Netherlands, directly contributing to both his side’s goals, setting up a FIFA World Cup Semi-Final clash with 2018 finalists Croatia.
Messi picked up the ball in the final third and played an exquisite no-look pass to slip in right wing-back Nahuel Molina, who poked low past Noppert. The stadium announcer was kept busy during the final minutes of the half after a flurry of yellow cards, while Emiliano Martínez remained untested in the Albicelestes’ goal.
Marcos Acuña had produced an energetic display up to this point which forced Denzel Dumfries to commit a foul, giving referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz no choice but to award a penalty. Unfazed, Messi stepped up to make it 2-0, leaving Noppert rooted and taking his 2022 WC tally to four.
Substitute Wout Weghorst nodded in Steven Berghuis’ cross to pull one back for the netherlands. stoppage-time period then ended with a last gasp equaliser when Weghorst swept in his second following an inventive free-kick routine from Teun Koopmeiners.
During a tense and cagey 30 minutes of ET, Van Gaal’s side weathered a late storm of Argentine chances, having the post to thank for denying Enzo Fernández in the final minute, sending the game to a penalty shoot-out.
Two saves from Martínez put Argentina in pole position before Fernández missed the chance to seal the game. However, Lautaro Martínez stepped up to bury the pivotal spot-kick and send Argentina to the semi-finals where they will meet Croatia
Louis van Gaal was in charge of the Netherlands the last time these two sides met in the 2014 Semi-Finals, losing on penalties after a goalless draw and it was the same on this occasion.