Argentina hold penalty nerve to beat the Netherlands and progress to the semi-finals

Argentina overcame the Netherlands in a classic World Cup quarter-final, winning 4-3 on penalties and setting up a semi-final with Croatia on Tuesday. The match finished 2-2 in normal time, with Argentinian goals from Nahuel Molina and Lionel Messi, before the Netherlands pulled off a dramatic comeback with a brace from Wout Weghorst. 

Having already met in five World Cups, this was the most keenly awaited quarter-final for the neutral fans — and certainly lived up to the billing. However, for most of the normal time, it appeared Argentina would stroll to victory.

The Albiceleste dominated the first half, deservedly going in 1-0 up at the break after a majestic Messi assist put wing-back Nahuel Molina clear through on goal to score. The result seemed a mere formality after Messi converted a 73rd-minute penalty to make it 2-0.

But the tie turned on its head with less than ten minutes to play. Rangy Dutch substitute Wout Weghorst headed home a Steven Berghuis cross on 83 minutes, in what was the first shot on target in the match for the Netherlands.

It looked to be little more than a consolation, but the Dutch side continued streaming forward and testing Argentina’s resolve. And in the tenth minute of second-half stoppage time, the Netherlands scored an entirely improbable leveler.

Having won a free-kick on the edge of the penalty area, it seemed certain that Dutch midfielder Teun Koopmeiners would shoot directly at Emiliano Martínez’s goal. Instead, he played a disguised pass forward to Weghorst that took Argentina by surprise. The Besiktas forward was able to turn and score, taking the match to extra time.

Both sides had chances during the added 30 minutes, most notably Argentina’s substitute forward Lautaro Martinez, who had a close-range attempt blocked by Virgil van Dijk, and another neat strike pushed away by Andries Noppert in the Dutch goal.

In the very last minute of the game, Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernández unleashed a powerful strike that had Noppert beaten, but it hit the right-hand post and went out. And, as it was in the 2014 World Cup semi-final, Netherlands-Argentina was to be decided on penalties.

Argentina got the shootout off to the best start possible, with Emiliano Martinez saving penalties from Van Dijk and Berghuis, while Messi and Paredes converted their attempts to give the Argentinians a 2-0 advantage.

A miss from Enzo Fernandez made things nervy, but Lautaro Martinez dispatched the final penalty to seal their passage to the semi-finals.

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