Qatar: Argentina and Lionel Messi advanced to the World Cup semifinals by defeating the Netherlands 4-3 on penalties on a dramatic night. Argentina will now face Croatia, the runners-up from the previous tournament, in the last four stages after Brazil was knocked from the competition with a shootout win.
The World Cup quarterfinal between Argentina and the Netherlands ended at 2-2 after 120 minutes. Argentina’s goalkeeper Emi Martinez then saved penalties from Virgil van Dijk and Steven Berghuis before Lautaro Martinez netted the winning spot kick to clinch them a 4-3 shootout victory.
Enzo Fernandez hit the post in the final seconds of the chaotic extra time, while Martinez and German Pezzella also had shots blocked or parried away as Argentina desperately attempted to score. The Netherlands had barely troubled Argentina during the game before substitute Wout Weghorst’s header 10 minutes later.
Argentina captain Lionel Messi had smoothly set up Nahuel Molina for their first-half opener, threading a sublime pass through the Dutch defence, before coolly slotting in a penalty in the 73rd minute after Denzel Dumfries fouled Marcos Acuna.
Brazil vs Croatia
Pre-tournament champions Brazil lost in the quarterfinals of the FIFA World Cup as Croatia snatched the win out of the jaws of defeat to advance to the semi-finals in Qatar. At the Education City stadium, extra time ended with a 1-1 deadlock, and Croatia won the match 4-2 on penalties.
Croatia should be commended for their game plan, which involved playing right into the hands of the individually talented Brazilians and utilising the technical prowess of their midfielders to maintain a lot of slow possession while denying Brazil the necessary time and control to generate enough chances.
They were so adept at moving the ball in midfield that Brazil occasionally feared pressing them too hard in case space appeared behind them.