Martinez the penalty hero as Argentina setup Croatia semi-final
Louis van Gaal was in charge of the Netherlands the last time these two sides met in the 2014 World Cup semi-final, losing on penalties after a goalless draw, and given the uneventful start to proceedings here, another shoot-out looked entirely possible. Andries Noppert had looked assured since taking his place between the sticks for the Dutch, yet his risky pass caused momentary panic early on.
Lionel Scaloni tweaked Argentina’s system to include wing-backs for the first time this World Cup, closely matching their opponents, and with half time approaching, that switch seemingly paid dividends. Lionel Messi picked up the ball in the final third and played an exquisite no-look pass to slip in right wing-back Nahuel Molina, who poked low past Noppert. The stadium announcer was kept busy during the final minutes of the half after a flurry of yellow cards, while Emiliano Martínez remained untested in the Albicelestes’ goal.
Having established a 12th half-time lead from 14 fixtures this year, Argentina looked relatively comfortable, restricting the Dutch to a single off-target shot before the hour mark. With time ticking away for Van Gaal’s side, the game began to slowly open up as the Netherlands became less conservative, providing Argentina with opportunities on the counter. Seldom failing to lift a crowd, Messi won a free-kick on the edge of the box, grazing the roof of the net with his resultant effort.
The Netherlands had offered precious little in attack, and with less than 20 minutes of regulation time remaining, the contest appeared to be over. Marcos Acuña had produced an energetic display up to this point, and his chop-back enticed Denzel Dumfries into an ill-advised challenge, giving referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz no choice but to award a penalty. Unfazed, Messi stepped up to make it 2-0, leaving Noppert rooted and taking his 2022 World Cup tally to four.
The Netherlands needed a miracle, but much like Croatia in the earlier kick-off, they scored with their first attempt on goal as substitute Wout Weghorst nodded in Steven Berghuis’ cross. Unthinkably, a fiery stoppage-time period then ended with a jaw-dropping last-gasp equaliser when Weghorst swept in his second following an inventive free-kick routine from Teun Koopmeiners.
During a tense and cagey 30 minutes of extra time, a 14th yellow card was brandished, evoking memories of the infamous Battle of Nuremberg, in which the Netherlands were ultimately dumped out of the World Cup. Van Gaal’s side weathered a late storm of Argentine chances, having the post to thank for denying Enzo Fernández in the final minute, sending the game to a penalty shoot-out.
Two saves from Martínez put Argentina in pole position before Enzo Fernández missed the chance to seal the game. However, Lautaro Martínez stepped up to bury the pivotal spot-kick to send Argentina to the semi-finals where they will meet Croatia for the first time since their 3-0 dismantling in the 2018 World Cup group stage.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Lionel Messi (Argentina)
