In the second quarter final clash of the FIFA 2022 World Cup, former world champions Argentina defeated the 2010 runners-up Netherlands in a dramatic encounter that saw both teams fight to a 2-2 draw in playtime having scored two goals each. Molina and Messi scored to give Argentina the lead over the Netherlands, but it was the twin strikes from Weghorst that brought the Dutch team back into action. In the end, the match headed into the penalties to decide who would advance into the semifinals. Argentine goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez was the hero, making two crucial saves to help Argentina beat Netherlands 4-3 on penalties.
The match began with Argentina attempting to take early charge. Just 5 minutes into the first half, Argentina are pushing forward but their attack fizzles out just at the edge of the box as they come up against a solid Dutch defense line up. However, that doesn’t deter the Argentines from making the moves. A few shots at the goal are easily blocked by the Dutch goalkeeper Andries Noppert, who at one point gave everyone a little scare by playing a risky pass that went just past the extended leg of Julian Alvarez to a center back.
15 minutes into the first half, the Netherlands kept more of the ball possession. However, they haven’t really had a solid opportunity to score. Argentina on the other hand have had a couple of missed opportunities. Messi managed to break through in the 21st minute as he fired a bullet shot that went a few meters over the post. That shot came after a long period in which the Netherlands had pretty much dominated the game. By the end of 30 minutes, Argentina had shifted gears and had maintained the majority of the ball possession.
At 36 minutes, Argentina is finally able to get the opening goal after Messi sent in a sublime pass that sliced through the Dutch defense on the left and found Nabuel Molina waiting in the box. A glorious through ball that Molina punches into the nets. His first international goal for Argentina at just the right time! A few minutes later, Messi had another potential chance to score as he fires in a low straight shot at the Dutch goal, but it finds goalkeeper Noppert. The first half soon ended with Argentina leading 1-0.
The second half began with the action swinging to and fro between both teams. At 63 minutes, Messi almost converted a brilliant free kick following a rough tack by Van Dijk outside the box. The shot curls in but fizzes just over the bar on the right. At 73 minutes, Dumfires trips Acuna at the edge of the box and the referee calls it a penalty. Messi takes the shot and makes no mistake as he clips it to the right of the Dutch goalkeeper who had no time to react. Messi’s goal gives Argentina a comfortable 2-0 lead.
Netherlands finally got their opening goal in the 83rd minute from an absolutely brilliant header by Wout Weghorst that finds the net and helps his team narrow the gap. As the clock struck 90 minutes, the line referee calls for 10 minutes of extra time, giving Netherlands some crucial time to level the score. With just seconds left in the extra time, Netherlands pulled out the equalizer after a free-kick crosses in to Weghorst who manages to turn it into the near post. More extra time is added to play and both teams keep firing at one another’s goal. Messi fired several shots at the Dutch goal, but none of them could go through. 30 minutes almost up, and still nothing to change the scoreline. The last minute sees Fernandez fire one last shot from his arsenal but it smashes off the post. And that was the end of playtime, as the winner will now be decided through penalties!
THE PENALTY SHOOTOUT
The much awaited penalty shootout begins with Netherlands taking the first kick!
- Netherlands Shot No. 1
Virgil Van Dijk walks in to take the first shot. He fires the ball in, but Emiliano Martinez makes a brilliant save diving to his right.
Score: Netherlands – Argentina (0-0)
- Argentina Shot No. 1
Captain Messi walks in for the first Argentine penalty. He keeps his calm as always and just rolls it down the middle. No chance for the goalie to stop that!
Score: Netherlands – Argentina (0-1)
- Netherlands Shot No. 2
Steven Berghuis takes the shot but Martinez dove full stretch to his left to make a picturesque save.
Score: Netherlands – Argentina (0-1)
- Argentina Shot No. 2
Paredes comes in and fires a quick shot to Noppert’s right into the nets!
Score: Netherlands – Argentina (0-2)
- Netherlands Shot No. 3
Teun Koopmeiners steps up and finally scores one for Netherlands.
Score: Netherlands – Argentina (1-2)
- Argentina Shot No. 3
Montiel is next and he converts his shot, giving Argentina a 3-1 lead.
Score: Netherlands – Argentina (1-3)
- Netherlands Shot No. 4
Star of the night Wout Weghorst walks in, fires, and gets his third goal of the night.
Score: Netherlands – Argentina (2-3)
- Argentina Shot No. 4
Fernandez takes the fourth shot but misses.
Score: Netherlands – Argentina (2-3)
- Netherlands Shot No. 5
Luuk De Jong comes in for the final strike. He needs to score to keep his team alive. He fires it in and scores. Netherlands still in it!
Score: Netherlands – Argentina (3-3)
- Argentina Shot No. 5
Lautaro Martinez steps up to take the final shot. He fired in the shot and scored. Argentina are through to the semis of the FIFA 2022 World Cup.
Score: Netherlands – Argentina (3-4)
One of the most thrilling encounters of FIFA 2022. The Netherlands valiantly fought back in the second half out of the hands of an obvious defeat. However, they crumbled in the penalty shootout, Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez produced several outstanding saves to help his team take the important lead in the shootout after they missed their first two penalties. Up until their fourth penalty, Argentina was perfect.
Argentina’s final penalty kick was converted by Lautaro Martinez, keeping their World Cup hopes alive. After a tense, dramatic game at Lusail Stadium, Argentina defeated the Netherlands 4-3 on penalties to advance to the semifinal against Croatia.
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