Argentina reaches world cup semi-finals after defeating Netherlands. Messi and his team will face Croatia who beat Brazil in a penalty shootout earlier today.
Nahuel Molina opened the scoresheet for Argentina in the 35th minute with an assist from star player Lionel Messi, after long attempts by Argentina to breach the Dutch defenses. The goal was Molina’s first for Argentina.
With his assist, Messi is also closer to becoming Argentina’s all-time assist leader, with only footballing legend Diego Maradona surpassing him with one assist.
Messi then widened the lead in the second half, scoring a penalty that was given after Denzel Dumfries brought down Argentine player Marcus Acuna.
Dutch striker Wout Weghorst scored a header in the 83rd minute to shrink Argentina’s lead.
Weghorst managed to tie the score for the Dutch side with seconds left to the final whistle and cause the game to go into extra time, slotting the ball into the goal after a pass from a free kick by Teun Koopmeiners.
The extra time went on without any goals scored, but Argentina managed to narrowly defeat their opponents in the penalty shootout 4-3.
Going into the game, Argentina were the favorites to secure their place in the semi-finals, with sports analysis website Opta giving them a 44.2% chance of winning, compared to the Netherlands’ 27.1% chance.
Argentina will face Croatia in the semi-finals. The 2018 runners-up managed to knock out favorites Brazil in a penalty shootout earlier today after a 1-1 draw.
The quarter-finals round of this World Cup will finish tomorrow.
Morocco will play Portugal in a bid to make history and enter the top four, while France and England –both favorites to win the tournament– will go head to head in a highly anticipated clash.