Argentina boss Scaloni 'not planning for penalties' against Netherlands
If Argentina are to win a third World Cup, with Lionel Messi and his teammates seeking their first, they must first overcome a nation that is equally hungry, in the form of Netherlands, in the quarter-finals.
The Dutch have been runners-up at a World Cup three times, most recently in 2010 before they were eliminated by Argentina on penalties in the 2014 semi-finals – then failed to qualify in 2018.
Netherlands, with Louis van Gaal in his third spell in charge, topped their group in Qatar before beating USA in the last 16, while Argentina also topped their pool before defeating Australia.
The winners here will face Croatia in the semi-finals, after the 2018 finalists beat Brazil on penalties.
Follow all the action with our live blog below:
Penalties: Netherlands 0-1 Argentina
GOAL! Now it’s Lionel Messi’s turn. He scored one during the game and he scores here! It’s a little tickle down the middle and Argentina are ahead.
Penalties: Netherlands 0-0 Argentina
SAVE! Virgil van Dijk is up first for the Netherlands. The captain leading from the front. He fires his effort to Emi Martinez’s right and the goalkeeper leaps across and palms it clear!
Penalties: Netherlands 0-0 Argentina
That was a spectacular quarter-final.
Argentina thought they’d won it but the Netherlands deployed the hit and hope tactic to their front men and scored twice in seven minutes to get to extra-time.
Messi’s men then responded in the last 10 minutes and drew saves out of Andries Noppert before striking the post.
Now penalties will decide the game. Who’s your money on?
ET Netherlands 2-2 Argentina
120 mins: Save! A counter-attack from Argentina sees them work the ball up to Lautaro Martinez who spins away from his marker and drills a shot at goal that Noppert punches clear.
Messi then has a go from range and sees his effort deflected wide. The corner ball then comes to Enzo Fernandez who curls a shot onto the far post!
What a finish to the game but it all ends on level terms. Penalties will decide the game.
ET Netherlands 2-2 Argentina
117 mins: Argentina win two consecutive corners and pile the pressure onto the Netherlands. The second one comes over to Enzo Fernandez who drills a low effort at goal.
The ball hits Weghorst and loops into the air before landing on top of the crossbar. It’s all Argentina at the minute. The Netherlands are the ones hanging in now.
ET Netherlands 2-2 Argentina
114 mins: German Pezzella dives into a challenge on Cody Gakpo and scissors the Dutchman’s legs out from under him. The free kick is floated over to the far side of the box where Luuk de Jong hits a left-footed volley towards goal only to see his effort blocked by Enzon Fernandez.
Angel Di Maria is also on for Argentina with Lisandro Martinez the man replaced.
ET Netherlands 2-2 Argentina
111 mins: Gakpo gives away a free kick over on the right wing and Paredes touches it to Messi. Messi drives into the box, cuts onto his left foot and laces a shot high and wide.
ET Netherlands 2-2 Argentina
108 mins: Argentina pick up where they left off and look to maintain possession whilst slowly pushing the Netherlands back. A crossfield pass sees Noppert come flying out of the box but he’s pressed and has to boot the ball out of play.
ET Netherlands 2-2 Argentina
Can Argentina take the game to penalties? The Netherlands look the more likely team to score in open play.
(REUTERS)
ET Netherlands 2-2 Argentina
105 mins: Close! A chipped free kick from Lionel Messi comes into the far side of the box where Nicolas Otamendi throws himself at the ball and just misses out on a tap in.
The whistle goes to end the first part of extra-time. 15 minutes left to play in this second quarter-final. Will the match be decided by penalties?
