Argentina defeated the Netherlands in a penalty shootout after a 2-2 tie. Emiliano Martinez was the hero.
Martinez made saves on Virgil van Dijk and Steven Berghuis before Lautaro Martinez scored the game-winning penalty as Argentina advanced to the semi-finals against Croatia.
Lionel Messi appeared to have won it for Argentina in regular time after setting up Nahuel Molina’s first goal and adding another from the penalty spot, but two late Wout Weghorst strikes extended the game into 90 minutes.
A low-key first half in which both teams were satisfied to hold possession without being able to generate much was ultimately sparked by Messi’s brilliance 10 minutes before halftime.
The Paris Saint-Germain star scooped up the ball 40 yards from goal, swerved past a couple of men, and then passed it through to Molina, who finished superbly from 10 yards.
Argentina’s second goal came after 73 minutes, following a reckless trip by Denzel Dumfries on Marcos Acuna well inside the penalty area.
Messi, who had already failed from the spot against Poland, made no mistake this time, blasting his shot to Andries Noppert’s left.
With 12 minutes remaining, Netherlands manager Louis van Gaal made a brilliant substitution by bringing on Weghorst.
Weghorst cut the lead in half five minutes after coming on, heading home Berghuis’ inswinging cross, and then struck again with the final kick of normal time.
With everyone in the stadium anticipating Teun Koopmeiners to shoot from 20 yards out, he instead slipped a beautiful pass through to Weghorst, who finished it off by slipping it past Emiliano Martinez.
After the final whistle, a game that had witnessed numerous flashpoints in the second half erupted anew, with players from both sides involved in pushing and shoving.
Argentina pushed for a winner in extra time but came up empty-handed, with Enzo Fernandez coming closest in the final minute with a 20-yard drive that slammed against the outside of the post.
Emiliano Martinez then took center stage, stopping the Netherlands’ opening two attempts to put Argentina ahead. Enzo Fernandez shot wide to add to the stress, but Lautaro Martinez made no mistake, scoring to set off loud celebrations.
What does it imply? Argentina’s pleasure has no bounds.
What a day to be an Argentina supporter! Brazil’s penalty shootout loss to Croatia elicited ecstasy in the Lusail Stadium bleachers before their own team achieved what their arch-rivals could not and advanced to the World Cup semi-finals.
Argentina still appears functional rather than fluid, but if they can keep the defense tight, they have a genius in Messi to open up games at the other end.
Messi, the Magnificent, stands alone.
Simply outstanding. He may not dominate games like he did ten years ago, but he still delivers when it counts.
He scored the first penalty with his cheeky brilliance and kept his composure twice more to slot away two penalties, including one in the shootout.
Excellent Weghorst
Van Gaal sent on Weghorst after 78 minutes of fairly ineffective assault, hoping for some late magic. The Besiktas striker came through big time.
A signature glancing header seemed to be expected, but his second goal was unexpected, a superb finish following a great free-kick routine that took the Argentina defense off guard.
What comes next?
Argentina will face Croatia in the first semi-final on Tuesday, while the Netherlands will return home.