Lionel Messi’s Argentina conquered a long-suffering qualification to the semifinals of the Qatar-2022 World Cup by beating the Netherlands on penalties (4-3) this Friday, after an agonizing 2-2 draw for the Europeans in the last play of the game. regular time.
La Albiceleste had gone ahead 2-0 with goals from Nahuel Molina (35′) and Messi penalty (72′), but the ‘Oranje’ reacted in time and was able to balance the score, with a brace from wout werghorst (83′ and 90+11′).
In the extension the marker did not move, despite a shot against the post by Argentine Enzo Fernández at 119′.
Lautaro Martinez converted the fifth and decisive penalty for Argentina, which prevailed in the definition from the white point 4-3 after the conversions of Messi, Leandro Paredes Y Gonzalo Montiel -Enzo Fernández could not score the first ‘match point’-.
?? Lautaro’s moment. pic.twitter.com/JVRXmrLogu
— FIFA World Cup ? (@fifaworldcup_es) December 9, 2022
the dutch cast waste his first two shots at the feet of Virgil van Dijk Y Steven Berghuiswhose attempts were blocked by Emiliano ‘Dibu’ Martinez.
On the Argentine road now appears as an obstacle the Luka Modric’s Croatiawho delivered the big blow by also leaving Brazil out via penalties (4-2 after a 1-1 draw), thus frustrating the possibility of a South American ‘Superclásico’ at the gates of the grand final.
This meeting will take place next Tuesday starting at 4:00 p.m. at the Lusail Stadium, the same scene of today’s match between the albicelestes and chess players.
– Messi and history –
The captain of the ‘Scaloneta’ Lionel Messi reappeared in all his splendor to lead his team, first with a attendance masterful for Molina’s opening goal, and later when it came to concretizing a penalty that increased the score to 2-0.
With that goal, the ’10’ reached the record for Gabriel Batistuta What Argentinian top scorer in World Cupswith a total of 10 festivities.
THE HEROES OF ARGENTINA. pic.twitter.com/zZqoTzdEDx
— FIFA World Cup ? (@fifaworldcup_es) December 9, 2022
Four of them are in Qatar-2022, where one of the leader of the scoring table, the Frenchman Kylian Mbappé (5), is put.
In matches played in the competition he reached 24, equaling the second historical place with the German Miroslav Klose and already being one of the record of 25 of another German, Lothar Matthaus.
Barring a last-minute setback, Messi will reach Matthäus in the semifinals and set a new record in an eventual final or in a possible match for third place.
– From tranquility to anguish –
But in what seemed like an absolutely controlled match, The Netherlands pulled an unexpected reaction practically out of nowhere.
Wout Weghorstjust entered at 78 minutes, would be key to changing the course in favor of the South Americans: in the first important attack by the Europeans in the entire match, he connected with a header to reduce the margin on the scoreboard five minutes after entering the field .
ARGENTINA IN SEMIFINALS!
— FIFA World Cup ? (@fifaworldcup_es) December 9, 2022
And not satisfied with it Netherlands forced extra time on the last ball through Weghorst himself, who in a rehearsed play took advantage of a low free-kick from Teun Koopmeiners to beat Dibu Martínez again and silence the stadium with the 2-2 score.
In extra time, Argentina had the best in the final part with great chances from Lautaro Martínez and a stick from Enzo Fernández, but the game went to penalties and there the South American goalkeeper became the hero of the night, with permission from Messi .
With the final whistle, Argentina was able to breathe with relief and start thinking about croatiaagainst which Marcos Acuña will not be, who saw a new yellow card and will have to serve a suspension against the Balkan team.
