Fanboy Nibras from Thrikaripur Manianodi jumped with the Argentinian flag as he watched his favorite Lionel Messi score his 10th World Cup goal at the Doha Lusail Stadium.
This 14-year-old, who went viral on social media after sharing his hope that the team will come back after losing to Saudi Arabia in the preliminary round, got a chance to watch the quarter-final match of his favorite team.
Nibras who rose from their seats at the Lucille Stadium and cheered
When the Dutch equalized in the 90th minute, he covered his face with his flag in excruciating pain. He wished the ball, which he thought would have been a goal in extra time, had not hit the bar and went out. He rose from his seat and cheered for every Argentine advance.
Messi and his team entered the semi-finals of the Qatar World Cup by defeating the Netherlands in a shootout in an exciting pre-quarter match that saw dramatic moments and rough finishes. Argentina won the shootout with a score of 4-3.
Both the teams scored two goals each in the regular time to tie the game, but neither team could score in the extra time. Then the shootout was decided. Messi, Leandro Paredes, Gonzalo Mondial and Lautaro Martinez put the ball into the net with ease. Enzo Fernandez’s shot hits the bar. Koopmaners, Weghorst and Luc de Jong scored for the Dutch side. Argentina scored the first goal of the match through Nahual Molina (in the 35th minute). A first-class cross by Messi through the Netherlands defenders resulted in the goal.
With Nibras sponsor Afi Ahmad
Messi ran through the Dutch defenders and delivered a through pass to Molina inside the box. Molina beat Dally Blind with the ball and put the ball into the net with goalkeeper Knoppert watching. In the 73rd minute, Messi scored a penalty to increase the lead. Dutch defender Denzel Dumfries fouled Acuna inside the box and the referee awarded a penalty in favor of Argentina. Messi who took the kick made the goalie Knoppert a spectator and easily put the ball into the net.
The Netherlands pulled a goal back in the 83rd minute through substitute Vout Weghoset. Weghorst scored with a first-class header from Steven Berghuis’ right-wing cross into the center of the box. After that, the progress of the Dutch team to return the second goal. The Netherlands attack by constantly shaking the face of Argentina’s goal. Defending and Argentina. In the final minutes of extra time, Argentina continued to attack the Dutch goal, but could not score the winning goal. The match then went to a shootout.
Along with Nibras, the sponsor and owner of Smart Travel, UPC Afi Ahmed, also went to watch the game. He, a French fan, said the message of hope Nibras gave to the community prompted him to sponsor the boy. Nibras will return home on Sunday.