Our 3️⃣ points as Argentina win the shoot-out to make the WC semi-finals | OneFootball

Argentina let a two-goal lead slip but overcame the Netherlands in a tense penalty shoot-out to set up a date with Croatia in the final four.

Here’s what we made of it.

Ad: SCORE A HAT-TRICK. Check-in. Trade. Earn free crypto daily with BIT

Are you not entertained?

You simply cannot stop the narrative once it is in motion.

Lionel Messi has stepped onto the world’s biggest footballing stage for what is likely to be the last time in his career and is dragging Argentina as far as he can take them.

The pass to unlock the dutch defence for the first goal was simply sensational. Through the eye of a needle, having taken but a single glance out of the corner of his eye, Messi sent the ball through Nathan Aké’s legs for Nahuel Molina to open the score.

Paris Saint-Germain’s magician was electric throughout, conducting the Argentina orchestra from deep whilst driving his team up the field at every opportunity.

It was only fitting that when Denzel Dumfries brought down Marcos Acuña that Messi would step up and score from the spot, before volunteering to take the first penalty in the shoot-out.

Unlike in the opening game, Messi decided to lean in all of his talent and experience from 12 yards – leaving Andries Noppert rocking on his heels as both rolled past the 6ft6″ Dutch keeper.

After both, the 35-year-old put his arms out wide to embrace the thunderous applause, knowing the entertainment he’s offering is likely his swansong on the global stage.

On a day when Neymar and Brazil let their spot in the final four slip, Messi ensured that one South American nation will be represented.

Total Hoofball

To come from two goals behind in the quarter-finals of the World Cup against Lionel Messi and Argentina is quite a tall order.

In fact, it was so tall that Louis van Gaal had to opt for his backup plan to get the wheels in motion.

Much like against Australia, Argentina took control of proceedings early on and were clearly the more technically apt side on an individual and collective level.

A change of pace from what the Dutch have experienced so far as, even against the USA, van Gaal’s side were the better team.

Messi’s moment of magic in the first half was followed by Denzel Dumfries’ moment of madness in the second, and the Oranje were two goals down and staring elimination in the face. Then came plan B.

Wout Weghorst and Luuk de Jong were thrown on the field, and it was the former that was the catalyst for change.

The former-Burnley man planted a wonderful header into the group to half the deficit before finishing an inspired set-piece routine (one Weghourst pulled off with Wolfsburg two years ago) in the dying moments to set up penalties.

Perhaps understandably, the Netherlands became more conservative during the additional 30 minutes as lady luck would elude in the shoot-out at the end of another World Cup classic.

Argentina’s last line of defence

Argentina became complacent and failed to see what should’ve been an easier journey into the tournament’s final four.

Against Australia, Lionel Scaloni’s side got away with it, conceding one whilst Emi Martínez was required to make a fantastic point-blank stop in the dying moments of the game.

The Aston Villa shot-stopper was powerless as Weghourst turned in a 101st-minute equalizer after watching his side give away yet another pointless free-kick, subjecting him and his side to needless pressure.

However, as Virgil van Dijk stepped up to take the first penalty in the shoot-out, a sense of inevitability dawned over those who watched.

Martínez pulled off two expert saves to give Argentina the ascendency in the shoot-out and, although they nearly let another two-goal lead slip, will be the hero in the dressing room during what is sure to be raucous celebrations.

A player who for most of his career played second and third fiddle at Arsenal is now one game away from the biggest match in global football and is playing more than just a minor role.