Argentina goes into the World Cup semi-final round for the fifth time after beating Holland in a penalty shootout.
Emiliano Martinez made two saves in the shootout as Argentina prevailed 4-3 after the game had ended 2-2 after 120 minutes of play. It had looked like Argentina were cruising to victory when they led 2-0 with less than a quarter of an hour left on the clock. Nahuel Molina had given Argentina the lead on 35 minutes after a fine assist from Lionel Messi. Messi then scored the second himself by converting a penalty kick awarded for a foul by Denzel Dumfries on Marcos Acuna.
Holland had offered very little by way of an offensive threat but their desperate position sparked a late change of tactic and they began to test the Argentina defense with a newfound direct approach.
Substitute Wout Weghorst set up a dramatic finish by heading home from a Steven Berghuis cross on 83 minutes. It came from Holland’s first shot on target.
Ten minutes of added time were signaled at the end of the 90 and Holland won a free-kick right in minute no.10.
Cody Gakpo and Teun Koopmeiners stood over it but neither shot. Instead, Koopmeiners played a clever pass for Weghorst, who scored with a low shot from inside the penalty area.
