Argentina beat the Netherlands via a penalty shootout to qualify for the semi-final of the Qatar 2022 World Cup.
Argentina had been tipped as favourites to breeze past the Netherlands, and although they did, it was a very tough evening for the South Americans.
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Nahuel Molina put the Albiceleste ahead in the 35th minute after Lionel Messi’s defence-splitting pass. After Denzel Dumfries fouled Marcus Acuna in his box, Messi stepped up and slotted past Andries Noppert to make it two in the 73rd minute.
The match seemed headed for an Argentina win until substitute Wout Weghorst heard home Steven Berghuis; cross in the 83rd minute.
The Louis Van Gaal-led team got an unbelievable equaliser after Weghorst again connected to Teun Koopmeiners’ low free-kick in the 11th minute of added time.
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With the game in extra-time, the Argentines came all out to win, but with mother luck on holiday, they missed glorious chances, including hitting the post, to put the game to bed.
The Netherlands looked comfortable going into the penalty kicks as they appeared to douse the zeal that saw them equalise two goals in the game’s final moments.
Captain Virgil Van Dijk lost the first kick for the Netherlands before Berghuis also watched as Emiliano Martinez saved his kick. Enzo Jeremias Fernandez also missed for Argentina, but Noppert could not save Lautaro Martinez’s final kick.
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Argentina will now meet Croatia in the semi-final of the competition. The Netherlands head back home.
