In a crazy scenario, Argentina and its leader, Lionel Messi, kept the dream of the first coronation since 1986 and reached the semi-finals of the Qatar 2022 World Cup in football, by defeating the Netherlands in a penalty shootout 4-3 after the end of the original and extra time 2-2 on Friday in the quarter-finals at Lusail Stadium.
Nahuel Molina opened the scoring for Argentina with a magical assist from Messi, and the latter added the second from a penalty kick. However, substitute Vout Fijkhorst narrowed the deficit in the 83rd minute, before scoring the equalizer in the eleventh minute of stoppage time.
The two teams resorted to two additional halves, and then a penalty shootout, in which goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez shone by blocking two balls.
Argentina will meet in the semi-finals with Croatia on Tuesday at the same stadium, after eliminating Brazil on penalties 4-2 after their 1-1 draw.