QATAR 2022 WORLD CUP: Argentina overcome the Netherlands in an ill-tempered classic to reach the semi finals
By Samson Adeyemo
Leoniel Messi’s World Cup dream stays alive after Argentina overcame the Netherlands in a dramatic and ill-tempered classic that produces 16 yellow cards and a red card.
La Albiceleste World Cup quarter-final finished 2-2 after 120 minutes breath-taking play when the dutch secured a late equalizer at the very last kick of the regulation time which sends the game to extra time.
However, Leoniel Scolani’s men controlled the tempo of the game at Extra time, but needed the magic of Emily Martinez, who saved two penalties at the shootouts, to send them to the semi finals.
Meanwhile, The Netherlands had rarely troubled Argentina during the match before substitute Wout Weghorst’s header 10 minutes later sparked them into life and he rolled the ball past goalkeeper Emily Martinez deep into stoppage time to send the game into extra time.
Argentina captain Lionel Messi had superbly set up Nahuel Molina for their first-half opener, threading a sublime pass through the Dutch defence, before coolly slotting in a penalty in the 73rd minute after Denzel Dumfries fouled Marcos Acuna.
Argentina now set up a “Messi vs Modric mastro” as they will next face Croatia, who beat Brazil on penalties earlier, on Tuesday for a place in the final.
