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:
Netherlands 0-2 Argentina
79 mins: Wout Weghorst is introduced to replace Memphis Depay. The Netherlands need to change something and with two big front men now on the pitch it seems they’ll be booting it wide and long.
Nicolas Tagliafico and German Pezzella also come on but for Argentina with Marcos Acuna and Cristian Romero taken off.
Netherlands 0-2 Argentina
76 mins: The Netherlands players are so frustrated with the way this game is going. A cross comes into the Argentina box and Emi Martinez comes out to claim the ball.
He leaps over Luuk de Jong and plucks the ball out of the air. The forward isn’t pleased and the two players square off with each other. Acuna gets involved as does Depay.
It’s an argy bargy over nothing.
GOAL! Netherlands 0-2 Argentina (Messi, 73’)⚽️
73 mins: Messi steps up and guides the ball into the right hand corner! Andries Noppert stood rooted to the spot. Argentina are in firm control now.
Penalty to Argentina
Netherlands 0-1 Argentina
70 mins: Denzel Dumfries is done by a cutback from Marcos Acuna and clips the wingbacks legs as he brings the ball into the penalty area. It’s a clear penalty and Lionel Messi will have the chance to double Argentina’s lead.
Netherlands 0-1 Argentina
69 mins: The Netherlands are unbeaten in 19 matches since Louis van Gaal took over in September 2021. They’ve been shockingly poor tonight but are still in this match.
A goal for them will change the momentum which is all with Argentina at the minute.
Netherlands 0-1 Argentina
66 mins: Daley Blind has picked up a knock from somewhere and goes down off the ball. He needs to go off so Louis van Gaal brings on a forward to replace him. Luuk de Jong is introduced for the Netherlands.
Argentina’s first change sees Rodrigo De Paul replaced with Leandro Paredes.
Netherlands 0-1 Argentina
63 mins: Close! Lionel Messi takes the free kick and fizzes it over the six-man wall. There seems to be enough dip on the shot as Andries Noppert shuffles across to cover it but the ball lands on top of the net and bounces behind.
Netherlands 0-1 Argentina
62 mins: Messi looks to get around Van Dijk who leans onto the midfielder and gives him a shove. Messi’s bought the foul and goes down just outside the box giving his team a chance for a shot at goal.
Netherlands 0-1 Argentina
60 mins: The game is opening up for Argentina on the counter-attack and Messi kicks it up to MacAllister who bombs forward. De Paul is open to his right but the pass across is too heavy and the Netherlands get back to defend by the time De Paul catches up with it.
He sends the ball back into the penalty area but his pass is intercepted and worked clear.
Netherlands 0-1 Argentina
57 mins: There’s a rye smile on Messi’s face as he gives away a foul but avoids a booking for a heavy tackle. The Netherlands have only had one shot in the entire game so far. They’ve been woefully inefficient this evening.
