Argentina vs Netherlands is a classic World Cup clash, creating some indelible memories for two of the world’s most talented and passionate footballing nations. Friday’s 2022 quarter-final in Qatar promises no less.
Messi is looking for a first World Cup in the final tournament of his career, but the Dutch are on a 19-match unbeaten run in all competitions. And their manager, Louis van Gaal, has not lost any of his 11 World Cup games in charge of the Netherlands, who are seeking their first-ever men’s title.
The last time these two nations met on the World Cup stage, in the 2014 World Cup semi-finals, Messi and Argentina defeated Van Gaal’s Oranje in a penalty shootout to decide the winner. The two iconic figures face off again, this time with a place in the semifinals on the line.
No team has really shined in this tournament so far. Messi has helped Argentina reach the last eight, with some challenging moments including a loss to Saudi Arabia and a scare against Australia in the round of 16. Despite winning three out of four, the Netherlands has drawn criticism back home. Matches so far, including the match against USA in the Round of 16
Argentina vs Netherlands Live Score
| Team | 1H | 2H | Final |
| Argentina | 1 | 1 | 2+4 |
| Netherlands | 0 | 2 | 2+3 |
Goals:
ARG – Molina – 35th min
ARG – Messi – 73rd min
NET – Weghorst – 83rd min
NET – Weghorst – 90+11th min
Team news
Argentina confirmed lineup (3-5-2, right to left): 23. e. Martinez (GK) — 13. Romero, 19. Otamendi, 25. L. Martinez — 26. Molina, 20. McAllister, 7. D. Paul, 24. e. Fernandez, 8. Akuna – 9. Alvarez, 10. Messi
Netherlands confirmed lineup (3-4-1-2, right to left): 23. Knoppert (GK) — 2. Timber, 4. Van Dyck, 5. AK — 22. Dumfries, 15. De Roon, 21. De Jong, 17. Blind – 10. Gakpo – 7. Bergwijn, 10. Depay
Argentina vs Netherlands Live Updates, 2022 World Cup Highlights
Full time: Netherlands 2-2 Argentina (3-4 pence)
After defeating the Netherlands in the end, Argentina will play against Croatia in the semi-finals on Tuesday.
Penalties: Netherlands 3-3 Argentina. Luuk de Jong keeps the Netherlands alive. But now it will be Lautaro Martinez with the chance to take Argentina to the semi-finals.
Penalties: Netherlands 2-3 Argentina Fernandez fires wide of the left-hand post! It is not yet complete.
Penalties: Netherlands 2-3 Argentina Weghorst scores! Then there is a row between the Timbers and a player from Argentina. It’s been such a bad game. But if Enzo Fernandez scores, Argentina will equalize.
Penalties: Netherlands 1-3 Argentina. Montiel scores! Argentina is one more Martinez away from the semi-finals.
Penalties: Netherlands 1-3 Argentina. Montiel scores! Argentina is one more Martinez away from the semi-finals.
Penalties: Netherlands 1-2 Argentina. Koopmeiners scored emphatically to leave the Netherlands with an outside chance.
Penalties: Netherlands 0-2 Argentina Paredes scores a superb penalty in the left-hand corner, and Argentina are on the brink of the semi-finals.
Penalties: Netherlands 0-1 Argentina. Martinez makes an even better save from Berghuis!
Penalties: Netherlands 0-1 Argentina
Lionel Messi sent Knoppert the wrong way with a goal.
Penalties: Virgil van Dijk Lin… saved!
The Netherlands will go first
Full time: Netherlands 2-2 Argentina. It goes to penalties.
120 min: Di Maria almost scores from a corner!
120 min: The Netherlands area is extremely hanging. Messi’s shot from the edge of the D takes a deflection and rolls a few yards wide.
113 min: A chance for the Netherlands! Gakpo heads the free-kick towards an unmarked Luc de Jong, whose volley is crucially blocked by Fernandez.
112 min Gakpo charges forward and is challenged strongly by Pezzella.
109 minutes: Argentina now has more ball now.
Half time in extra time: Netherlands 2-2 Argentina
104 minutes: Messi’s floated free-kick sent Otamendi sprawling at the far post.
101 minutes: Messi ran into the timber and fell over. The referee buys it and gives Timbers a final warning.
95th minutes: Gakpo’s overheated cross fell into the roof of the net.
Blimey, it started again at the final whistle, pushing and shaking both benches.
Full Time: Netherlands 2 and Argentina 2
GOOAAALLL! Netherlands 2-2 Argentina – Weyghorst 90+11
Total football is dead, total longball is alive!
90+3 minutes: Berghuis’ free-kick hit the wall
90+1 minutes: Ten minutes of added time!
90 min: Paredes received yellow cards.
83 min: GOOOAAALLLL! Netherlands 1-2 Argentina
81 min: Argentina and Croatia have met twice in the group stage of the World Cup. Argentina won 1-0 in 1998; Croatia beat him 3-0 in 2018.
GOOOAAALLLL! Netherlands 0-2 Argentina
Messi’s goal!
Penalty to Argentina!
71 min: I was just about to say that Acuna has dominated his duel with Dumfries, and now he’s won a penalty!
63 min: Messi hit a great free kick on the edge of the bar. It was thrown to Knoppert, who couldn’t save it and brushed the top of the net.
61 min: Messi was pushed outside the area by van Dijk. This is another opportunity for Argentina. The free-kick is 22 yards out, slightly to the left of the center.
57 min: The Netherlands has all the ball now, although it’s Argentina who is controlling the game. Their defense looks very comfortable.
55 min: Messi is penalized, but not booked for brazen handball. That is an offense worthy of a dismissal by the referee.
49 minutes: Gakpo does well to beat Martinez down the right but then chips a cross too close to another Martinez, Ami. The Netherlands has yet to hit the target.
46th minute: Argentina resumes play.
Halftime: The whistle blows at Lucelle Stadium and Nahuel Molina’s goal gives Argentina a slim lead.
Louis van Gaal’s men haven’t really got going – can he come up with a tactical plan to turn things around in the second half?
47th minute: Wout Weghorst now receives a yellow card on the Dutch bench for a poor choice of words when speaking to the officials.
It’s a very fun affair and there’s real potential for more cards, including the game-changing red.
44th minute: Two bookings handed out in quick succession.
The first goes to Acuna for a feeble challenge that sees him drive his studs into Dumfries’ Achilles tendon and the second to Timbers for his reaction to his tackle.
Acuna will now miss the semifinals because of that caution.
40th minute: Messi twists and turns before unleashing a right-footed shot into the Netherlands box but it’s not his most powerful and Knoppert collects easily.
35th minute: GOAL! Argentina took the lead through Molina but this goal had Messi’s fingerprints on it.
The diminutive number 10 produces a beautiful disguise behind his right-back, who does well to collect the pass and pull the ball in front of the onrushing Knoppert. The stadium erupts.
33rd minute: Argentinians put together one of the most promising passages of play they’ve ever seen, putting De Paul into space on the edge of the box for a shot.
It is easily saved but Lionel Scaloni will be encouraged by that.
24th min: Bergwijn drags a left-footed shot wide after a quick exchange of passes with Depay.
As close as the Netherlands has come this far and it was a better chance than it looked in the end.
18th min: Emiliano Martinez was in action for the first time as he collected an overhit ball behind Steven Bergwijn who was told to chase down.
13th min: As you’d expect in these opening stages, KJ, Argentina enjoys most of the possession.
The Netherlands is trying to keep as many players as close to Messi as possible, preventing him from getting the ball or building a head of steam when he does get it.
5th min: Argentina fans vastly outnumber their Dutch counterparts in the stadium – this is like a home game for Messi and co.
1st min: The Netherlands gets us underway through Depay.
5 mins from kickoff: The players heading out onto the pitch now – will it be Argentina or the Netherlands who join Croatia in the semifinals?
25 mins from kickoff: The Netherlands could do with this man shining tonight.
Argentina vs Netherlands lineup, team news
The Argentine press is reporting that manager Lionel Scaloni could choose one of two lineups depending on the health of winger Angel Di Maria (right quad), who sat out the last match against Australia. If he is available, the Albiceleste will go with their traditional 4-3-3 formation. If not, he could mirror the Netherlands’ 3-5-2 by inserting Manchester United’s Lisandro Martinez into the backline.
Rodrigo de Paul (right hamstring) is another injury concern and has not looked at himself in this tournament. There is an option to potentially replace Leandro Paredes in the lineup. Another regular toss-up position will depend on the manager’s preference for Marcos Acuna or Nicolas Tagliafico at left-back on the day.
Argentina (4-3-3, right to left): 23. e. Martinez (GK) — 26. Molina, 13. Romero, 19. Otamendi, 8. Akuna – 7. De Paul, 24. Fernandez, 20. Mac Allister – 11. Di Maria, 10. Messi, 9. Alvarez
Not much drama to speak of in the Dutch camp, where everyone is fully fit and ready to go. Jeremy Frimpong was the last player to pick up an injury, but that was a week ago. Memphis Depay has worked his way to full fitness during the tournament and is now a starter.
The only lineup talk could potentially include Teun Koopmaners in central midfield replacing his Atlanta teammate Maarten de Roon, or Steven Bergwijn partnering Depay up front alongside breakout star Cody Gakpo. But the team that started against the USA was a balanced unit and the next go (below) is possible.
Netherlands (3-4-1-2, right to left): 23. Knoppert (GK) — 2. Timber, 4. Van Dyck, 5. AK — 22. Dumfries, 15. De Roon, 21. De Jong, 17 Blind – 14. Klaassen – 8. Gakpo, 10. Depay.