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Argentina emerged victorious from their duel against the Netherlands on Friday in the quarter-finals of the World Cup. Lionel Messi and his teammates failed to be knocked down by the Dutch before winning on penalties (2-2, tab 3-4)
Argentina saves Latin American honor. After the failure of Brazil, the Albiceleste offered themselves the honor of being the last Latin American selection in the running in the World Cup-2022 by beating the Netherlands in the quarter-finals on Friday December 9 (2- 2, tab 3-4). They will face Croatia on Tuesday for a place in the final.
In this classic of the World Cup – five confrontations between the two selections including the 1978 final – Argentina, pushed by supporters present in large numbers in the spans of the Lusail stadium, very quickly shows itself to its advantage. Mac Allister lights the first wick by shifting Molina. But the center of the latter is repelled by the Dutch defense (3e). It’s still Acuna who misses his cross by sending him to the third post (11e).
Messi, again and again
After having gauged their adversary for a long time, the Oranje went on the offensive. Depay crosses at the far post for Dumfries who tries to hand over to Blind (16e). Then Timber launches Bergwijn in depth but the Argentinian goalkeeper Martinez is in the right timing for his exit (18e). At the same time, Lionel Messi stands out with a first strike well above (22e). Bergwijn responds with a shot from the left off target (24e).
While the rhythm seems to crumble, a number of Messi in the axis allows him to serve Molina. The control is impeccable, as is his striking. Noppert can do nothing (35e). La Pulga broke a Pelé record on the message: the number of assists made in the knockout phase of the World Cup (5).
At the foot of the wall, the Netherlands push to come back to the score but Martinez intervenes on all the balls, like this free kick from Gakpo which the goalkeeper cuts at the penalty spot (45e).
Upon returning from the locker room, in accordance with the instructions of Louis van Gaal, the Netherlands positioned themselves a notch higher. But the Oranje are struggling to be biting enough during their pressing to cause high ball recoveries and not enough inspiration to destabilize the Argentinian block. The Albiceleste meanwhile seems able to double the bet with each of his passes breaking the lines. Mac Allister’s breakaway at 59e minute is the best illustration of this. On a free kick from Messi, it is still Noppert who offers his people the right to believe in it (63e).
It is on another set piece that Argentina will seal their victory. Launched at full speed, Acuna is mowed down in the area by Dumfries. Lionel Messi sends the penalty into the skylight and Noppert does not flinch (73e).
Start of fight and Dutch comeback
Argentina hopes then not to know more rebound than the invasion of ground by a spectator eager to appear in uniform of Adam in mondovision. This is without counting Weghorst who offers the Netherlands the right to believe in it (83e, 1-2) perfectly cutting a center. The Argentinians will tremble until the end as proven by the small net found by Berghuis (85e).
With the stake, the football fight even turns into the start of a fight after a shot by Leandro Paredes on the bench of the Netherlands. The referee tries somehow to calm the ardor of the Blues and the Oranges while the former Parisian is pushed to the ground.
During the 10 very long minutes of stoppage time, Martinez and his defense tried to hold on, well helped by the chants of a Lusail stadium fully standing for the Albiceleste. Until a free kick in the very last moments. On what was undoubtedly the final set piece, Berghuis very cleverly slips it in for Weghorst who offers himself the double and sends the 22 players into extra time (90e+11). A new scuffle broke out on the field, promising a more than tense end to the match.
And tension obliges, the songs give way to outright boos. The stands are also more lively than the field, fatigue requires. Both teams are content to spin the ball, lacking the freshness to go and cause danger. The only thrill of the first period is a free kick from Messi that Otamendi is too short to recover (105e). In the second half, the Albiceleste finally shakes the Oranje (110e113e115e117e et 119e) despite the rhythm cut by the incessant whistle of the referee. Noppert is there to make the necessary saves and when the goalkeeper is beaten, it’s his post that stops Argentina (120e).
Remain the penalties to decide between the two teams. And in this exercise, it is Argentina that finally wins at the end of the night. The Oranje crack under the pressure of the inflamed public and Martinez, gloves on fire, takes the two out of the Netherlands, sealing their fate in this World Cup.
And Lionel Messi finally holds the second World Cup semi-final of his career in his hands. What bring him a little closer to the only trophy he misses in his immense career.
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