FIFA World Cup 2022: Netherlands vs Argentina: Martinez heroics take Argentina in to the semifinals, Netherlan

It
was
2-2
at
the
end
of
the
extra
time.
Nahuel
Molina
and
Lionel
Messi
scored
the
goals
for
the
two-time
Champions
while
Wout
Weghorst
netted
a
brace
for
the
Netherlands.
But
Emiliano
Martinez
was
the
hero
for
the
South
American
nation
as
they
continue
their
journey
in
the
World
Cup.

As
it
happened:

Argentina
and
Netherlands
both
started
the
match
with
control
and
poise
but
there
weren’t
enough
goal-mouth
actions
in
the
early
exchanges.
But
it
was
Los
Albicelestes
who
took
the
lead
in
the
35th
minute.
Nahuel
Molina
was
slipped
through
by
Lionel
Messi
and
the
right-back
slotted
the
ball
expertly
past
the
Netherlands
keeper.
At
the
break,
it
was
the
South
American
nation
with
a
narrow
lead.

After
the
restart,
Lionel
Messi
came
close
to
doubling
the
lead
but
his
free-kick
was
off
target.
The
Dutch
couldn’t
provide
enough
chances
and
then
conceded
a
penalty
after
a
foul
on
Marcus
Acuna
in
the
box.
Lionel
Messi
scored
from
the
spot
to
double
Argentina’s
lead
as
they
cemented
a
massive
base
towards
the
semifinal.

Wout
Weghorst
got
the
Netherlands
back
in
the
match
eight
minutes
from
time
as
they
halved
the
deficit.
And
it
was
Weghorst
again
who
scored
in
the
101st
minute
to
equalize
for
the
Oranjes
to
make
it
2-2
and
take
the
match
to
extra
time.

The
match
went
to
the
penalties
after
both
teams
failed
to
score
in
the
additional
half
an
hour.
And
Emiliano
Martinez
saved
two
penalties
as
Argentina
won
4-3
in
the
penalties.

Aftermath:

Argentina
will
meet
Croatia
in
the
semifinal
while
the
Netherlands
are
out
of
the
tournament.

Netherlands
vs
Argentina
Lineup:

Netherlands:
Noppert;
Dumfries,
Timber,
Van
Dijk,
Ake,
Blind;
De
Roon,
De
Jong,
Gakpo;
Bergwijn,
Depay

Argentina:
Martinez;
Romero,
Otamendi,
Martinez;
Molina,
De
Paul,
Fernandez,
Mac
Allister,
Acuna;
Alvarez,
Messi

Key
Stats:

• Lionel
  Messi
  equalled
  Gabriel
  Batistuta’s
  record
  for
  most
  goals
  in
  the
  World
  Cup
  for
  Argentina.
  They
  both
  have
  10
  goals
  now.
• Lionel
  Messi
  (65)
  ranks
  second
  now
  in
  terms
  of
  players
  being
  fouled
  most
  time
  in
  the
  World
  Cup.
  Diego
  Maradona
  (152)
  has
  been
  fouled
  most
  in
  World
  Cups.
• Lionel
  Messi
  assisted
  for
  the
  5th
  time
  in
  the
  World
  Cup
  knockouts,
  most
  by
  any
  player
  in
  the
  world.
  He
  also
  took
  the
  most
  shots
  in
  the
  match
  with
  4
  shots
  to
  his
  name,
  scoring
  one
  out
  of
  them.