This was undoubtedly one of the greatest football nights at this World Cup so far.
In the aftermath of a histrionic encounter between two world-beating nations that finally saw a defiant, persistent Croatia oust gargantuan Brazil via a penalty shootout, a record 16 cards were dished out to players in the match that followed between Argentina and the Netherlands, bearing ample testimony to its intensity not unlike that of a world championship boxing match with its raw ferocity as the momentum of this game swung dramatically in the last minutes following Louis van Gaal’s desperate decision to bring on both his giants at 2-0 down.
The Dutch armada hadn’t even attempted a shot on target in this tie prior to the 83rd minute and had to finally resort to direct football aimed at the opposition fortress. Van Gaal’s introduction of 6-foot-2 Luuk de Jong and the towering 6-foot-6 behemoth Wout Weghorst turned out to be a stroke of genius and saving grace, well almost.
Argentina had unfathomably begun to collapse in the ending minutes and were unable to handle the sudden change in pace and the constant aerial bombardment in their defensive third. Fortunately for Lionel Messi and the Albiceleste, direct football and giants finally can’t really help you win penalty shootouts.
17 days before this, Argentina were caught hopping on the wrong foot in one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history as they shockingly lost to a totally unfancied and lowly Saudi Arabia 2-1. Right in the very same Lusail Iconic stadium. And tonight, the Argentines have advanced to the semi-finals with this monstrous victory against the Netherlands. But they were actually a penalty shootout loss away from another dramatic, shock defeat in the circumstances.
Well, this win means Messi fans worldwide will now be able to see more of their incomparable idol at this World Cup. The Argentine wizard, who has now been involved in six goals at this tournament (four goals, two assists), is also the leading player at the 2022 edition for chances created, both overall (16) and from open play (13).
Despite his exceptional assist for Nahuel Molina’s opening goal and the penalty to seemingly seal the win, Messi was the quintessential predator lurking far quieter than in previous games in these finals, and that’s essentially what makes him so dangerous. Even when seemingly shackled by opponents whose only mission is to stop him at all costs, he’s able to switch on and alter the course of a match with just a single act of brilliance at will.
His second-half goal via a penalty took him to 10 in World Cup finals to draw level with the great Gabriel Batistuta for the most by an Argentine player.
The final outcome notwithstanding, credit needs also to be given to the Netherlands. The 2022 World Cup had already seen the Netherlands defeat the reigning AFC Asian Cup champions, the reigning CONCACAF Gold Cup winners and the AFCON winners from earlier this year, but they were unable to add reigning Copa América champions Argentina to their list of victims.
At 71 years old, it looks like Van Gaal may have just taken charge of his final game as Netherlands coach – a game that he cunningly turned almost in full favor of the Netherlands with his crafty end-game substitutions. He would end up on a high despite the final loss.
Following Croatia’s shock win against Brazil earlier today, they will face Argentina in the semi-finals next week for a place in the 2022 World Cup final on 18 December.
Messi’s won pretty much everything in football apart from the World Cup. He’s potentially only 180 minutes of football away from completing it all.