Argentina boss Scaloni 'not planning for penalties' against Netherlands
If Argentina are to win a third World Cup, with Lionel Messi and his teammates seeking their first, they must first overcome a nation that is equally hungry, in the form of Netherlands, in the quarter-finals.
The Dutch have been runners-up at a World Cup three times, most recently in 2010 before they were eliminated by Argentina on penalties in the 2014 semi-finals – then failed to qualify in 2018.
Netherlands, with Louis van Gaal in his third spell in charge, topped their group in Qatar before beating USA in the last 16, while Argentina also topped their pool before defeating Australia.
The winners here will face Croatia in the semi-finals, after the 2018 finalists beat Brazil on penalties.
Follow all the action with our live blog below:
ET Netherlands 2-2 Argentina
111 mins: Gakpo gives away a free kick over on the right wing and Paredes touches it to Messi. Messi drives into the box, cuts onto his left foot and laces a shot high and wide.
ET Netherlands 2-2 Argentina
108 mins: Argentina pick up where they left off and look to maintain possession whilst slowly pushing the Netherlands back. A crossfield pass sees Noppert come flying out of the box but he’s pressed and has to boot the ball out of play.
ET Netherlands 2-2 Argentina
Can Argentina take the game to penalties? The Netherlands look the more likely team to score in open play.
(REUTERS)
ET Netherlands 2-2 Argentina
105 mins: Close! A chipped free kick from Lionel Messi comes into the far side of the box where Nicolas Otamendi throws himself at the ball and just misses out on a tap in.
The whistle goes to end the first part of extra-time. 15 minutes left to play in this second quarter-final. Will the match be decided by penalties?
ET Netherlands 2-2 Argentina
102 mins: After the blistering end to the 90 minutes it’s probably not surprising that this first half of extra-time has bee far from thrilling. I don’t think there’s been a shot from either team yet.
Both sets of players are more concerned with conserving their energy for one final push later on.
ET Netherlands 2-2 Argentina
99 mins: Steven Berghuis floats a free kick into the box from the left but it’s easily cleared by the Argentina defence.
Jurrien Timber and Lionel Messi then collide in the middle of the pitch and the referee awards Messi the free kick. Bit harsh on the Dutch.
ET Netherlands 2-2 Argentina
96 mins: The Netherlands are allowing Argentina to control possession but the South Americas aren’t doing much with the ball. They’re knocking it around the ball with the odd short pass into midfield.
ET Netherlands 2-2 Argentina
93 mins: Argentina will look to get on the ball again now. They had stopped trying to get it forward towards the end of the 90 and the Netherlands picked them apart.
Paredes collides with Frenkie de Jong in the middle of the pitch and brings down the Dutch midfielder.
ET Netherlands 2-2 Argentina
The Netherlands have got back into this game and this tournament by kicking it long and bullying defenders with big forwards. That’s a crazy tactic and it’s paid off handsomely for Louis van Gaal.
Extra-time kicks off. There’s been 12 yellow cards in this match, it’s been terrible refereeing. The officials have hardly kept control of the players.
Extra-time: Netherlands 2-2 Argentina
The momentum is fully with the Netherlands now. They’ve got to continue playing this long ball method as Argentina haven’t been able to handle it.
Argentina looked dead on their feet towards the end and now have to start again. 30 minutes to play at least.
