Netherlands-Argentina : Messi’s World Cup Dream Remains Alive!

The quest for a first World Cup trophy since 1986 continues for Argentina after they defeated Netherlands 4-3 on penalties last Friday at the Lusail Iconic Stadium to set up a semi-final berth against Croatia. The ‘Albiceleste’ had their captain Lionel Messi and goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez to thank for the victory in a game that almost slipped from their grip. On the chase to win the World Cup and cement his legendary status as one of the greatest ever in the game, Lionel Messi pulled the strings for Argentina and it is his blind pass that played through Nahuel Molina(35’). Messi will then double Argentina’s lead from the penalty spot with twenty minutes left to play as the ‘Albiceleste’ looked in cruise control on their way to the semi-final.
However, a change in tactics for the Dutch turned the game on its head as they decided to go long and find their two big strikers who had come in to rescue the game. Seven minutes from time, Steven Berguis’ cross was met by striker Wout Werghost (83’) who guided the ball past Emiliano Martinez to give the Netherlands a lifeline. The Dutch then went on to throw the kitchen sink at the Argentines and got their reward with the last kick of the game when a well worked free kick in the el...