Argentina qualified for the semi-finals of the 2022 World Cup, this Friday, December 9, after their victory over the Netherlands in the penalty shootout (2-2; 4 tab to 3) , thanks in particular to a great Lionel Messi author of a goal and an assist. The Albiceleste will challenge Croatia for a place in the final of the competition.
The meeting begins with a collective movement from Argentina. Mac Allister serves Acuna on the left whose center is cleared by a Dutch defender, in his area.
The ball does not seem to leave the feet of the Argentines. The Albiceleste offered an interesting cross, cleared by Nathan Ake in the 5th minute.
In the 9th minute, the Dutch trembled with this recovery at the foot of Noppert which was almost recovered by Alvarez.
First thrill for the Argentinians in the 16th minute after a pass from Depay which is too high for Blind.
After more than 25 minutes of play, the Argentinians tried twice. The Netherlands have meanwhile shot once on goal. None were framed.
The Albiceleste opened the scoring in the 35th minute on an action from Molina after an assist from Lionel Messi which cleared the Dutch window.
In the 41st minute, the free kick is whistled in favor of the Batavians on the right. Hit by Gakpo, this one gives nothing.
During the added time of the half, the Netherlands continued to push but Argentina managed to clear the ball without any difficulty.
The Argentinians dominate these first minutes of the second half with a good call from Messi but the ball from his partner is too long.
Louis Van Gaal’s men touch the ball more in the 50th minute than in the first period but stumble on the Argentinian block.
In the 62nd minute, Lionel Messi gets a free kick very well placed, in the axis, slightly off-center on the left after a missed intervention by Virgil Van Dijk.
Argentina get a penalty in the 71st minute after a foul by Dumfries on Acuna, converted by Lionel Messi with a cross shot.
The Oranjes found their colors again by opening their goal counter during this meeting on a superb uncrossed header from Weghorst (83′).
Tempers flared in the 89th minute after a shot from Paredes on the Netherlands bench. A fight breaks out between the two nations.
The Netherlands get a free kick at the start of added time, fired by Berghuis but blocked by the Argentinian wall.
This end of the match is tense between the two selections who fight on each ball. Louis van Gaal’s men gave it their all in the final minutes.
Last free kick in favor of the Netherlands in the last minute at the entrance to the Argentinian area after a foul by Paredes which leads to a goal for the Netherlands after a strike from Weghorst on a pass from Berguis. A stroke of genius from the Dutch. Once again the extensions are in order.
During the first minutes of extra time, a new free kick is found by De Jong but does not give anything.
In the 105th minute, a free kick whistled in favor of Argentina. Messi takes it upon himself to shoot him. At the far post, Martinez is too fair to straighten the ball.
In the 107th minute, corner played by Lionel Messi from the right. The center of the Pulga is captured without problem by Andries Noppert.
Argentina misses a chance to qualify in the 113th minute. Fernandez unleashes a powerful shot from the left blocked by Weghorst. The ball goes just over Noppert’s crossbar.
In the last minutes of this extra time the two nations go to the front and offer themselves opportunities to score but in vain, in particular a cross strike from Messi which is countered by the Dutch goalkeeper.
The Netherlands and Argentina go on penalties. And it is Abliceleste who snatch their ticket to the semi-finals and will face Croatia, after a completely surreal match which kept the spectators spellbound until the end.