Netherlands have exited the 2022 FIFA World Cup in dramatic circumstances after losing 4-3 on penalties to Argentina in a quarterfinal match played at the Lusail Stadium in Qatar on Friday.
The match finished 2-2 after extra time, with Nahuel Morina and Lionel Messi on target for Argentina, while second-half substitute Wout Weghorst netted a brace for the Netherlands.
Argentina will go on to face Croatia in the first semifinal, set to be played at Lusail Stadium on Tuesday, December 13.
The Albiceletes dominated the match from the start as they kept possession well in the opposition’s half and they almost opened the scoring just 15 minutes into the game.
In the 24th minute, Netherlands missed an opportunity to go on the lead when Cody Gakpo’s free-kick went over the bar with a right-footed shot from outside the box from a direct free kick.
Argentina went ahead in the 35th minute courtesy of Nahuel Morina strike from Lionel Messi’s brilliant pass.
Five minutes later, Netherlands blew a great chance for an equalizer, as Memphis Depay’s cross from the right gave Marten De Roon a scoring opportunity, but the winger fluffed the shot completely.
The Netherlands came out firing at the start of the second half with Denzel Dumfries seeing a header outside the area after retrieving possession go over the top.
Daley Blind should have found an equalizer in the lead in the 60th minute, however, the defender headed over from close range.
Eight minutes later Lionel Messi was at it again when he worked himself into space just outside the box, but once more he shot wide of goal.
Argentina grew confident in the game and were awarded a penalty in the 73rd minute when Denzel Dumfries fouled Marcos Acuma in the area, and the ball was coolly slotted in by Messi from the spot.
Dutch substitute Wout Weghorst pulled one back in the 83rd minute before finishing a clever short free-kick to equalize in the 11th minute of the added time and extra time followed.
The extra-time failed to produce any goal and the game went to penalties where Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez dazzled, blocking the first two Netherlands attempts while the Albiceletes scored their first three tries.
How they lined-up:
Netherlands: Andries Noppert – Jurrien Timber, Virgil Van Dijk, Nathan Ake, Denzel Dumfries, Marten De Roon (Teun Koopmeiners 46), Frenkie De Jong, Daley Blind (Luuk De Jong 65), Steven Bergwijn (Steven Berghuis 46), Cody Gakpo (Noa Lang 113), Memphis Depay (Wout Weghorst 79).
Argentina: Emiliano Martinez – Marcos Acuna (Nicolas Tagliafico 78), Lisandro Martinez (Angel Di Maria 112), Nicolas Otamendi, Cristian Romero (German Pezzella 78), Nahuel Molina (Gonzalo Montiel 106), Rodrigo De Paul (Leandro Paredes 67), Alexis MacAllister, Enzo Jeremias Fernandez, Julian Alvarez (Lautaro Martinez 82), Lionel Messi.
