2022 World Cup: Argentina 2 [4-3] 2 Netherlands – La Albiceleste through to semi-final

La Albiceleste of Argentina beat the Oranje of Netherlands in the second quarter final game of the 2022 FIFA World Cup tournament in Qatar on Friday night.

A Lionel Messi-inspired Argentina saw off a spirited Netherlands fightback to book their place in the semifinals of the 2022 World Cup after a thrilling contest in Lusail.

The Albiceleste looked home and hosed late in the second half after their talismanic No.10 dispatched a penalty to follow up a barely believable assist for Nahuel Molina in the opening 45 minutes.

But the course of the game changed when Wout Weghorst entered the fray for the Dutch and soon nodded home what initially appeared to be little more than a consolation goal.

Argentina simply could not handle the former Burnley striker’s physicality, and he sent the game to extra time by poking a finish home in the final minute of time added on.

However, that ultimately only delayed the Netherlands’ misery, with Emiliano Martinez producing more penalty heroics to save twice and send Argentina into the last four.

And they will face Croatia there rather than old rivals Brazil after Zlatko Dalic’s side produced yet another shock in the day’s earlier game.

Goals:
ARG — Molina (Messi) — 35th min

ARG — Messi (Acuna) — 73rd min

NED — Weghorst (Berghuis) — 83rd min

NED — Weghorst (Berghuis) — 90th+11 min

Lineups:

Argentina (3-5-2, right to left): 23. E. Martinez (GK) — 13. Romero, 19. Otamendi, 25. L. Martinez — 26. Molina, 20. Mac Allister, 7. De Paul, 24. E. Fernandez, 8. Acuna — 9. Alvarez, 10. Messi.

Netherlands (3-4-1-2, right to left): 23. Noppert (GK) — 2. Timber, 4. Van Dijk, 5. Ake — 22. Dumfries, 15. De Roon, 21. De Jong, 17. Blind — 10. Gakpo — 7. Bergwijn, 10. Depay.

By: D. N. A. MENSAH, Daily Mail GH /Follow the writer @SkipperWrites on Twitter

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