Argentina captain Lionel Messi proved the difference as Argentina beat the Netherlands to qualify for the semi-final at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
It was an evenly-matched affair for large parts of the first half, as Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni opted to change his side’s formation and sent a five-man backline into the tie to cover the threats of Dutch’s attacking full-backs.
The plan worked as the Netherlands hardly had any sniff at goal, while the Albiceleste appeared equally toothless had it not been for a moment of brilliance by Messi.
The 35-year-old picked out Nahuel Molina with a brilliant no-look pass and the Argentina right-back slotted the ball calmly passed Netherlands keeper Andries Noppert.
The second half was much like the first with Argentina sitting deep and waiting for the right moment to pounce.
That moment came in the 73rd minute after Marcos Acuna was brought down inside the penalty box before Messi stepped up to convert the penalty.
It was his 10th goal at World Cup tournaments, equalling the record of Gabriel Batistuta.
The Netherlands, though, were not beaten yet, as Wout Weghourst pulled one back in the 83rd minute via a superb header.
In the Dutch even went one better, when Weghourst scored the equaliser in the 100th minute after a superb short free-kick variation caught the whole Argentina defence napping.
The game calmed down in extra-time with Argentina having the best chance in the 114th minute when a Lautaro Martinez shot got deflected by Virgil Van Dijk.
Enzo Fernandes almost scored in the 120th minute but his strike from distance hit the outside of the post.
The Albiceleste though had the last laugh as they won the penalty shootout 4-3 after the Dutch missed their first two spot-kicks.
