Argentina are World Cup semi-finalists for the fifth time after beating Netrherlands 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. The Associated Press has the story:
Argentina beat Netherlands on penalties at World Cup
Argentina’s Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring during the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between the Netherlands and Argentina, at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, Friday, Dec. 9, 2022. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)
Messi converted his penalty in the shootout and Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez saved two attempts. Lautaro Martinez scored the clinching penalty.
Argentina’s Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring during the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between the Netherlands and Argentina, at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, Friday, Dec. 9, 2022. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)
The match finished 2-2 after extra time, with Messi scoring one goal and setting up another. The Netherlands equalized in the 11th minute of second-half stoppage time.
Virgil van Dijk of the Netherlands helps Argentina’s Lionel Messi to stand up during the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between the Netherlands and Argentina, at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, Friday, Dec. 9, 2022. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
Argentina’s Lionel Messi, centre, challenges for the ball with Denzel Dumfries of the Netherlands, left, Nathan Ake of the Netherlands, second left, Frenkie de Jong of the Netherlands, bottom right, Virgil van Dijk of the Netherlands, top right, during the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between the Netherlands and Argentina, at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, Friday, Dec. 9, 2022. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
Messi’s superlatives are unsurpassed. The 35-year-old is one of the finest to ever play the game. But there’s one thing missing on his impressive soccer resume: a World Cup title.
andsArgentina’s Nahuel Molina, center, celebrates his opening goal during the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between the Netherlands and Argentina, at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, Friday, Dec. 9, 2022. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)
Argentina got on the board first thanks to Lionel Messi, of course. In the 35th minute, Messi somehow threaded the ball through three Dutch defenders to Nahuel Molina. Molina poked it with his right foot beyond the towering 6-foot-8 Netherlands goalkeeper Andries Noppert. It was Molina’s first-ever international goal.
Argentina’s Lionel Messi in action against Memphis Depay of the Netherlands, left, and Frenkie de Jong of the Netherlands during the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between the Netherlands and Argentina, at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, Friday, Dec. 9, 2022. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
And then, in the 73rd minute, Messi made his presence really known when he lined up to take a penalty kick. With a swift strike low and to the right, Messi flatfooted the keeper to extend the Argentina lead to 2-0.
Argentina’s Nahuel Molina, left, celebrates with Julian Alvarez, center, and Lionel Messi, right, after scoring the opening goal during the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between the Netherlands and Argentina, at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, Friday, Dec. 9, 2022. (AP Photo/Ricardo Mazalan)
Argentina will play Croatia in the semifinals on Tuesday.
