Argentina defeated the Netherlands on penalties in a World Cup classic to go to Tuesday's semifinals, with Lionel Messi scoring and assisting.
The three top favourites to win the World Cup, which gets underway in Qatar on Sunday, are linked by a common thread. Photo: Andres Kudacki / AFP.
Argentina and The Netherlands' World Cup match was a classic, with Lionel Messi's team finally winning on penalties after a 2-2 stalemate in overtime.
At first, LIONEL MESSI called the tune.
In the opening period, Argentina had less of the ball than the Netherlands, but they utilised it so skillfully when they did. In the 35th minute, Nahuel Molina of Atlético Madrid scored a goal for La Albiceleste thanks to a geometrically inch-perfect assist from Lionel Messi.
Denzel Dumfries fouled Marcos Acua in the area, and Messi converted the following spot-kick to give Argentina a two-goal advantage on the stroke of halftime. Messi now has the same number of World Cup goals as Gabriel Batistuta, an Argentine great, with 10. But The Netherlands made an unlikely comeback.
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