Argentina boss Scaloni 'not planning for penalties' against Netherlands
Argentina beat Netherlands in an incredibly dramatic quarter-final at the World Cup, with Lionel Messi and his teammates triumphing 4-3 on penalties after a mesmerising 2-2 draw in 120 minutes.
Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez saved penalties from Virgil van Dijk and Steven Berghuis before Lautaro Martinez scored the winning spot-kick to secure victory.
In a scrappy half-hour of extra time with the scores level, Enzo Fernandez rattled the post in the closing seconds but the game only went to the extra 30 minutes after Wout Weghorst scored from a clever free-kick routine in the 11th minute of injury-time to make the score 2-2.
Weghorst had narrowed the deficit to 2-1 with an 83rd-minute goal after Argentina appeared to be heading through by racing into a 2-0 lead - Messi setting 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 will now face Croatia, who beat Brazil on penalties earlier, on Tuesday for a place in the final.
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Argentina sneak past the Netherlands 4-3 on penalties
Argentina are rightly celebrating on the pitch. There were more yellow cards pulled out by the referee following the end of the penalty shootout as some of the Netherlands players vented their frustration and disappointment.
The dream of Lionel Messi winning the World Cup goes on. The majority of fans inside the stadium are Argentina supporters and they’re revelling in this win.
Netherlands vs Argentina player ratings as Lionel Messi advances despite Wout Weghorst heroics
Argentina edged past the Netherlands in a classic World Cup quarter-final, prevailing 4-3 on penalties after a thrilling 2-2 draw after extra-time.
The deadlock was broken after 35 minutes, with Messi sliding a glorious pass into the path of the onrushing Nahuel Molina, who finished smartly.
The Albiceleste were then gifted a chance to double their lead when Denzel Dumfries tugged at Marcos Acuna, who went down. Messi stepped up and hit the side netting of the right corner, with Andries Noppert frozen to the middle of his goal.
The Dutch rallied late though, with substitute Wout Weghorst’s header halving the deficit.
Then dramatically taking the game to extra-time with a 101st minute finish after quick-thinking from Teun Koopmeiners to slide him the ball from the free-kick on the edge of the box.
Lautaro Martinez scored the decisive spot kick, securing a semi-final against Croatia.
Here are the player ratings from the Lusail Stadium:
The Oranje struck deep into injury time to force extra-time against the Albiceleste
Argentina sneak past the Netherlands 4-3 on penalties
(REUTERS)
(Getty Images)
(Getty Images)
Penalties: Netherlands 3-4 Argentina
GOAL! Lautaro Martinez scores and Argentina win! They’ve seen off the Netherlands via a penalty shootout. Lionel Messi’s team go on.
Penalties: Netherlands 3-3 Argentina
GOAL! Luuk de Jong scores for the Netherlands but Argentina have the chance to win it. Lautaro Martinez is the man who’ll take this crucial penalty.
Penalties: Netherlands 2-3 Argentina
MISS! Enzo Fernandez shuffles over to the left during his run up and then pulls his effort wide of the target!
Penalties: Netherlands 2-3 Argentina
GOAL! Weghorst does score. The Netherlands are still in the contest but they really need Argentina to miss one.
Penalties: Netherlands 1-3 Argentina
GOAL! Gonzalo Montiel sends the goalkeeper the wrong way and put Argentina two in front once more. Wout Weghorst has to score.
Penalties: Netherlands 1-2 Argentina
GOAL! Teun Koopmeiners gets the Netherlands on the board. Good penalty, right into the corner.
Penalties: Netherlands 0-2 Argentina
GOAL! Leandro Paredes fizzes his penalty into the side netting. No chance for Andries Noppert to get there.
