Netherlands vs Argentina summary: Argentines win on penalties, score, goals, highlights | Qatar World Cup 2022
Netherlands vs Argentina: as it happened
Follow live coverage of the 2022 World Cup final between Argentina and France, as the two teams fight it out for the global title at Lusail Stadium. Joe has comprehensive build-up, followed by minute-by-minute commentary of the game.
It's now Wednesday 14 December and in case you have landed on this older feed, allow us to point you towards the second semi-final of the 2022 World Cup, France vs Morocco to find out who will play Argentina in the showpiece final.
Joe is the man in place with our live coverage to take you through all the build up ahead of the game, bringing you team news and various insights into the two sides.
And then from kick off he will carry you all the way to when the final whistle blows in Qatar. You'll not want to miss out!
It's now Tuesday 13 December and in case you have stumbled across this older feed, allow us to redirect you to the first semi-final of the 2022 World Cup, Argentina vs Croatia.
Joe is the man in place with our live coverage to take you through all the build up ahead of the game, bringing you team news and various insights into the two sides.
And then from kick off he will carry you all the way to when the final whistle blows and we have our first finalist in Qatar confirmed. You'll not want to miss out!
The final quarter final, between England and France, gets underway at 2 p.m. ET. Follow all the action with William.
And the quarter-final action continues today, with Roddy taking you through Morocco vs Portugal. Will Cristiano Ronaldo start? Can Morocco humble both Iberian countries? Will we see more penalties? All your questions answered, with a sprinkling of humour and a dash of in-depth tactical analysis.
Signing off...
OK, I think we shall leave it there for the evening, as well all need a nice lie down in a dark room.
More football tomorrow? OK!
And it's all live, just for you, on AS USA!
We've got Morocco vs Portugal and England (flagless) vs France !
Thank you for joining me (Joe) for tonight's game.
2-2 (3-4 pens.)
Rodrigo De Paul post-match
I respond on the pitch, where I can do my best.
I am happy because I work hard to get results. Playing in a World Cup semi-final isn't something that happens every day.
The idea for this team was to arrive on the first day and leave on the last. We picked ourselves up after a difficult defeat at the start.
Hopefully these moments keep coming because they are incredible.
I want to tell the people that they enjoy themselves because this is for everyone.
Messi post-match on Mateu Lahoz
Emi Martínez post-match
The first thing that comes to my mind is excitement. I do this for 45 million people. Making people happy is the best thing about this.
We are in the semi-final because we showed passion and heart. We are excited, the same as the people.
Scathing post-match comments from Messi on Lahoz
I don't want to talk about referees because then they will sanction you. But we were scared before the game because we knew what was coming [with Mateu Lahoz]; they cannot put a referee like that on this game when he is not up to the level.
Argentina are through to their 5th World Cup semi-final
1930
1986
1990
2014
They have won all of them.
2022 - ?
Messi post-match reaction:
There is a lot of happiness, a lot of joy. The game-plan wasn't to go to penalties, we had to suffered a lot. But we are through and it's amazing.
Argentina is in the top 4 teams in the world because we know we can play every game with the same desire and the same intensity.
This team understands the different moments of the game. When we have to play, we do it. When we have to defend we do it as well.
We are enjoying a lot being with the fans, going game by game. We are very happy.
A record number of bookings tonight.
It's own Wiki page with a Mateu Lahoz subheading...
Cargando...
So, it turned out to be penalty heartbreak for the Dutch again.
Just like in 2014, against Argentina.
Van Gaal has still never lost a knockout tie. Amazing.
Cargando...
Here's the boy Messi and his stats
A 9.1 rating in a World Cup quarter final - not bad, eh!
Cargando...
Full match reaction coming up as we hear it...
What an end to an incredible game.
The collective party on the streets of Argentina will carry on long into the night.
Cargando...
And that's it! Argentina will face Croatia in the World Cup semi final on 13 December.
What a long, hard-fought tactical affair that saw the best of Messi, the best of Van Gaal, and the best of World Cup football.
The game was equal from the start, with both teams perfectly cancelling each other out all the way to minute 120. Then came the penalties, and we went all the way with all 5 before Lautaro Martínez scored the goal that sent Argentina through and the Netherlands out.
Everybody, breathe.
LAUTARO SENDS ARGENTINA TO THE WORLD CUP SEMI FINAL
3-4
It's 3-3
If this goes in, Argentina win.
DE JONG SCORES
3-3
Luuk de Jong...
ENZO MISSES
Argentina score and they win...
WEGHORST SCORES
2-3
Weghorst...
The Netherlands need to score their next penalty to stay alive...
MONTIEL SCORES
1-3
KOOPMEINERS SCORES
1-2
PAREDES SCORES
0-2
SAVE AGAIN FROM EMI MARTINEZ
0-1
MESSI SCORES
0-1
Messi up next...
VAN DIJK PENALTY SAVED BY MARTÍNEZ
0-0
Van Dijk wins the initial coin toss but there's some confusion and it gets re-tossed.
The Netherlands will shoot first.
The team talks have concluded. Let's go.
I have no idea what that game turned into at the end, it was pure craziness. Di María almost scored, Enzo hit the post and I think Messi had a shot fly close at some point as well.
Anyway, shootout time.
2-2
EXTRA TIME IS DONE.
PENALTIES IT IS.
One minute added on.
What is happening?!
ENZO OFF THE POST!
Di María nearly scores directly from a corner!
This game has no structure anymore. It is a footballing mosh pit, a food fight, an explosion in a porridge factory.
SAVE FROM NOPPERT.
Lautaro spun around past Timber and fired a low shot towards goal.
Counter attack for the Netherlands is stopped by Emi Martínez.
Noa Lang sends in a cross from the left towards Berghuis, who was on his own at the far post.
Martínez read the flight of the ball and came off his line to collect.
Pezzella close from a header!
ENZO COMES SO CLOSE!!
His shot was hit into the ground and bounced above everyone, just ending up over the bar.
Argentina coming on strong now...
Five minutes remaining.
LAUTARO COMES CLOSE!
Enzo slid the ball back for him but his shot was blocked in the last minute.
Enzo slides Lautaro through but the following cut-back can't find a teammate.
Gakpo off; NoaLang on.
Oh! Close from Luuk de Jong!
The cross is his to the far post and the ex-Sevilla forward smacks a volley that is blocked.
DiMaría on for LisandroMartínez.
Yellow for Pezzella after a foul on Gakpo.
A bit of a scare for the Oranje as the ball is loose in the box. Fortunately for them, it's cleared away for a throw.
Timber breaks through the Argentina midfield brilliantly before Paredes snatches the ball away from him in an instant.
Messi fires over the bar from distance.
Montiel booked by Lahoz (why, I don't know).
He'll miss the next match should Argentina go through.
Paredes looks for a ball over the top but Noppert and Ake have a slight lack of communication leading to the goalkeeper booting the ball out for a throw.
Lots of nerve-filled clearances, as nobody wants to be the one to make a mistake and allow an attacker in.
Corner for Argentina...
well trapped by Noppert.
NahuelMolina off for Montiel.
Here we go again! 15 minutes to go!
The customary on-pitch team talks commence and finish just as quickly... second half coming up!
That's all for the first half of extra time!
2-2
Otamendi comes close!
Messi whipped in a free-kick from range and the central defender's touch wasn't heavy enough to be guided anywhere near goal.
It's been tiring and nervy so far for both sides, with their tactical systems still interlocked together like two Tango dancers.
The Netherlands' prolonged possession is ended after Lahoz stops play for a foul.
Free-kick for Messi, to be crossed in.
Cleared.
Lots of angry blue and white shirts after Mateu Lahoz stops a potential attack. Timber had fouled Messi in the build-up.
Free-kick for the Netherlands after man mountain Weghorst is fouled on the right.
Cleared away.
The Netherlands are pressing excellently, going man for man against the Argentina defenders, not letting them out. Or near Messi.
Argentina with some possession at the back, resting on the ropes as they look to find a gap in the defence of the Dutch. Nothing so far.
A cross from Berghuis flies over everyone and bounces onto the top of the Argentina net.
The game has lost its early structure, this is two heavyweight fighters throwing tired punches at each other in Round 12.
Messi plays a cross-field pass to Tagliafico who works the ball into the box, but the Netherlands break down the attack.
The tension is at extreme levels inside the Lusail stadium. It's electrifying.
(Now I've got Grease songs in my head as I watch the World Cup quarter final).
Argentina work the ball down the left and look to play it quickly after the ball rolls out. The Dutch defend the throw well.
Here we go (again)!
Here's Sofascore's stats
We're off again in a moment but here's how the boffins saw the game.
Cargando...
I am just sat here, laughing my head off. Football, eh!
And that is all for normal time!
I had written down, ready to be copied and pasted that Argentina were through to the semi-final. Weghorst had other plans.
Extra time, here we come!
IN THE LAST MINUTE.
THE BALL WAS PASSED THROUGH A GAP IN THE GROUP OF PLAYERS AND THE MAN GIANT HIMSELF POKED THE BALL PAST MARTÍNEZ.
I DON'T BELIEVE IT
GOAL GOAL GOAL GOAL GOAL GOAL GOAL GOAL GOAL
WEGHORST. WEGHORST. WEGHORST.
Koopmeiners or Gakpo to take.
Messi booked.
A very, very dangerous free kick for the Netherlands, just outside the box. A chance to be a hero.
Into the last minute of added time...
Mateu Lahoz is blowing for every teeny tiny foul committed, frustrating the players.
Free-kick to Argentina, who launch it down the field.
Berghuis passes the ball through Messi's legs. Shall we end the World Cup there and give it to the Netherlands?
Luuk de Jong heads out a long ball and Emi Martínez is in no hurry to get things going again.
Otamendi heads away a dangerous looking cross from the left.
The Argentina fans wave their flags and scarves - four minutes to go.
Scaloni is screaming like a madman at his players to press the Netherlands all the way back to goal. which they promptly do.
Lisandro Martínez is down after he clashes heads with Nico Otamendi.
Into the wall!
Gakpo, Berghuis and Koopmeiners are all stood over the ball...
Free-kick for the Netherlands on the edge of the D, right in the middle of the pitch. This is very dangerous.
Ten minutes added on.
Wow... a huge fight has erupted on the pitch, all the subs are on the field and a few players have been pushed to the floor...
There is only one man who can stop this... Mateu Lahoz!
It all started with a Paredes foul on Ake. The Argentinian subsequently smacked the ball towards the Oranje bench and all the players rushed out to defend their teammate.
It's going to be route one stuff from the Netherlands now, as you might expect.
Argentina get away after cutting out a poor De Jong pass and Messi is fouled in the centre circle.
All of a sudden, things are very nervy for Argentina. They had dropped deeper and deeper, allowing for Weghorst to receive crosses close to goal.
Scaloni is going crazy on the touchline, screaming at his players to step out and force the huge target man away from the goal.
THE NETHERLANDS GO SO CLOSE AGAIN
Berghuis with a rocket that hits the side netting!
It came from another cross put in from range that was knocked down.
It wasn't the free kick, that was a poor effort from Gakpo, but the rebounded cross came in and Gulliver stood over everyone in Lilliput and headed the ball into the net!
The last ten minutes of this game just got very interesting!
GOAL GOAL GOAL GOAL NETHERLANDS
WEGHORST THE MAN GIANT
Free-kick for the Netherlands on the left, Gakpo will whip in the cross...
Álvarez off; Lautaro on.
Álvarez does well down the left to put in a cross but Noppert is the first to it. Sighs of relief from the Dutch defence.
Crosses are flying like guided missiles into the box since Weghorst - who might actually be a real-life giant - has come on.
Substitutes being prepared for Argentina as they look to lock their defence up with Tagliafico and Pezzella.
Acuña and Romero make way.
Memphis off for very big man Weghorst.
Dibu Martínez and Luuk de Jong get the handbags out after the goalkeeper beat the striker to a looping cross from the right.
Lahoz, chief chatterbox, comes over to see what's going on, stealing the ball from the hands of the goalkeeper in the process. He has his two pennies worth in the argument and the game carries on.
Noppert was rooted to the spot as Messi slotted the ball to the goalkeeper's left.
0-2
GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLL
LIONEL MESSI TAKES ARGENTINA ONE STEP CLOSER TO THE WORLD CUP SEMI FINAL
Messi to take... of course.
Penalty to Argentina!
Acuña tripped by Dumfries the left side of the box, just on the line, and Mateu Lahoz points to the spot!
Ángel Di María is warming up.
Shooting stats so far...
1 shot, 0 on target
6 shots, 3 on target
Just under half an hour to go, and the Netherlands are trying their best to push forward towards Emi Martínez's goal, but the Argentinian structure is holding together fabulously well.
Everybody is doing their job perfectly and, like with the Messi assist, it will take either a mistake or a moment of madness/genius to break through.
DePaul off; Paredes on.
Paredes being prepared to come on...
Blind off for Luuk de Jong.
The chess pieces have been moved again.
OH MY WORD. IT IS CENTIMETRES OVER.
People on the other side of the stadium were screaming that it had gone in!
Messi whipped the ball to the top right corner, far away from where Noppert could reach.
Wow. Messi is not only stabbing the Oranje but he's twisting and turning the knife in all directions.
A dangerous free kick is won by the scuttling beetle in blue and white just on the edge of the box, to the left of the goal. Messi will surely go for the spectacular.
Messi with a scrumptious ball through the lines to set Mac Allister away. He plays De Paul in down the right but the Atlético player slips as he tries to cross and the effort is weak and easily cleared.
Messi again with the carving knife through the Oranje.
The Netherlands are definitely seeing more of the ball in this half, but the Argentinian defence is well placed in every area to stifle them. So far, so good from Scaloni.
Ake and Messi are having a lovely battle in the many mini-match-ups (say that three times quickly) that are taking place tonight.
So far, it's 0-1 to the little Argentinian, as is usually the case when he's involved.
Lahoz having a word with Virgil van Dijk who looks absolutely dumfounded by whatever is being said to him. I'll leave that there.
A lovely bit of link-up play on the edge of the Argentine box by the Oranje. Memphis, Gakpo, De Jong and Blind all working well together to win the ball back and play it around the tight spaces.
Blind's cross is blocked by Romero and the attack breaks down.
The Netherlands gets back well to put out a potential counter attack led by Julián Álvarez, forcing the forward to stop and play backwards. The duel continues...
Messi almost slipped in down the right channel but Noppert comes out well to collect the ball.
Argentina are defending brilliantly so far, and are not letting the Netherlands get any numerical advantage down the wings, which is where they would like to do damage.
Gakpo and Dumfries link up on the right side and a cross is floated in towards Memphis. Martínez catches the ball.
The ball is flicked on towards the far post but the Netherlands clear.
Messi opens the ball to Acuña after playing one-twos across the entire width of the pitch.
Corner for Argentina.
It's Gakpo up front with Memphis and Berghuis in behind.
De Jong and Koopmeiners are in front of the defence.
No changes for Argentina so far.
Off we go again!
Second half underway!
Bergwijn and De Roon off for Berghuis and Koopmeiners.
Okey dokey! The players are back out and we're ready to go again!
Can the Netherlands make a comeback or will Argentina hold on?
0-1
In other news...
The World Cup curse continues and now ex-Brazil coach Tite is the next person to leave his job after elimination.
Cargando...
Here are the statistics of the first half:
As you can see, it was a close one. Messi brilliance, as so often is the case, the difference maker so far.
Cargando...
And there we go! Half time!
0-1
Well, before the goal, the game was turning into one of those for what people call ' football purists' - that is to say that not much was happening. Both the Netherlands and Argentina have each other cancelled out perfectly like a satisfying mathematical equation on a chalkboard and it took a moment of Einstein-esque brilliance for Messi to take a sledgehammer to the maths and smash the board to pieces.
Argentina's tactical plan has nullified completely anything the Netherlands will have hoped to achieve in the game; the three central defenders are coping well with Memphis and Gakpo has been absent for the whole game so far. Dumfries has had a few moments but nothing concrete, so Scaloni must be happy at the break.
Two minutes to go of the half, and Argentina are taking their time getting the ball back in play, as you would.
Álvarez thinks he's fouled by Dumfries but Lahoz waves on.
Wout Weghorst on the Dutch bench is then booked. Why? Nobody knows.
Five minutes added on.
Messi the lonely man in the wall as Gakpo whips in a free-kick from the left, which is saved by Dibu Martínez.
Romero booked now, Lahoz taking no prisoners.
Dumfries has a slight limp.
Free kick for the Netherlands out on the right...
Cleared by Romero.
Timber booked for a foul on Acuña.
Mateu Lahoz only held up the card for about 30 seconds.
Ah, Acuña also booked for the reaction to the foul, and will miss the next match.
The Netherlands looks a little livelier now, but that's only leaving space in behind for Argentina to exploit.
Free-kick for the Netherlands on the right...
Cleared away.
Shot from Messi!
Álvarez plays in the PSG forward from the left and Messi, facing away from goal, squirms left and right like a runaway beetle before firing a low shot into Noppert's grateful palms.
Well, well, well...
That's opened up the game. And it came from absolutely nothing; a stroke of genius, a flash of fire, a puff of smoke and Argentina are up against the Netherlands.
The Lusail Stadium's noise levels just went from excessively loud to downright dangerous. An electric atmosphere.
Messi (of course) takes the ball in the right channel and skips past Ake before sliding a perfect ball through the gap created to Van Dijk's left side.
The right-back had made a great run into the space and the ball was perfectly weighted and timed to the precise second from Messi so Nahuel could poke a shot over the out-coming Noppert.
0-1
GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAALLLLLLLL ARGENTINA!!!!!
NAHUEL MOLINA SCORES PAST NOPPERT!
ONE NIL ARGENTINA!
A shot!
De Paul! Mac Allister lays off the ball to the Atlético Madrid midfielder on the edge of the box but Noppert saves it easily.
Álvarez nearly slips in Messi after good work from De Paul to win back possession but Van Dijk reads the pass and clears the ball.
Walter Samuel (yes, that one) is booked for being a naughty boy on the bench and shouting mean things.
Both teams are having instances of nice movements and passing sequences but they are so equally matched in all aspects so far that nothing is coming off to the full.
Memphis, trying his best Messi impression, drops deep to try and create something and leave space for other attackers up front.
Enzo follows him back and stops the ball from progressing.
Foul from Gakpo on Otamendi.
Almost half an hour gone, no goals or clear chances so far.
Now it's Argentina's turn to show they can turn up through the gears: Messi, Álvarez and De Paul all combine but the Oranje cut out the play before it gets seriously dangerous and close to Noppert's goal.
Chance! Memphis!
A bit of quick play between Gakpo and Memphis in the middle of the pitch ended with a shot from the Barcelona man rolling wide.
Dumfries and Memphis have looked like the bright sparks so far; Acuña and Lisandro have had their work cut out teaming up to stop the pair of orange attackers from getting in behind the defence.
Just like that!
Messi curls a trademark shot from distance and it just flies over the bar.
Twenty minutes gone but none of the early tension has left the pitch: every move by every player is being perfectly counteracted upon by the opponent and this tactical battle is going to continue until someone shows their class.
Memphis gets in behind after a good run was seen by Ake. The forward wins a corner for his side.
Cleared away.
Dumfries is almost fed the ball away down the right side by Memphis but Lisandro is there to put a foot in and stop the danger. It was a lovely one-two between the Dutch players.
Timber with a nice through ball that broke though both the Argentina midfield and defence, but Bergwijn couldn't catch up with it and Martínez gobbled up the ball.
A half chance for the Netherlands as Dumfries arrives down the right and loops a high cross over to Blind who is crashing down the other wing but just can't make contact with the ball.
Possession is pretty much 50/50 and we've only had the De Paul blocked shot so far as the only 'chance'.
Have those pesky Croatians and Brazilians eaten up all the fun?
Argentina work the ball well from right to left and then through the middle channel to Mac Allister, but his cross is too high and Noppert eventually collects the ball and stops the danger.
I can't stress enough how fantastic the atmosphere is right now inside the Lusail Stadium: Argentinians are literally bouncing up and down as though it were the World Cup Final!
Acuña with a dangerous cross after Messi opened up the play well from the edge of the box, but the attempt from the left-back flew out of the other side of the pitch.
Ten minutes so far and no clear chance for either side, it's a tense affair with a loud atmosphere of songs in Spanish; the two sides look vary wary of each other.
Dumfries links up well with Memphis down the right and wins a dangerous throw in close to the corner flag.
The ball is worked inwards back to Memphis but his touch rolls out for a goal kick.
There are huge, huge noise levels right now inside the Lusail Stadium.
Both teams are evenly matched on the pitch but off it, it's Argentina who have the Europeans outnumbered by the thousands.
Both team seem quite timid so far, they're measuring each other up and seeing what's on offer. It's going to be a chess game by the looks of things.
A shot from De Paul blocked by his own teammate!
Argentina turned in a flash and quickly escaped through the midfield pressure from the Oranje...
A stoppage in play as Gakpo is down after clashing with Enzo off the ball.
Back underway.
Acuña gets down the left and plays a cross towards Mac Allister but it is cleared easily by the Dutch defence.
Argentina are sitting high and pressuring the ball as it gets sent around the Dutch back line.
De Roon fouls Mac Allister and we have our first free kick of the night after 15 seconds.
Peeeeep goes Mateu Lahoz's whistle!
Off we go with the second World Cup quarter final!
The Netherlands kick off the game!
The players are coming out of the tunnel onto the pitch...
: a nice slow anthem, very grand. The singing was nice as well.
: that was impressive. Felt like the whole stadium was singing along. Early points for Argentina.
Anyway, time to go!
It's back! The huge World Cup trophy is back in the middle of the pitch along with the light show!
That means it's going to be a cracker, right?
Once the flashing lights and fire spirals are finished, it will be time for the national anthems...
This is your ten minute warning!
The fans have filled the stadium and I have to say, the Argentinians are making a huge noise.
Warmups are done - time for the pre-match team talks!
Sofascore says...
Here is how the Sofascore boffins have rated the players so far during the World Cup.
It's the obvious candidates that lead the way: Gakpo (7.63) and Messi (7.95), which will surprise nobody, as they've both been pretty much unstoppable when their head and feet have been at full throttle.
Cargando...
Just in case you missed it, here are the lineups:
Netherlands : 3-4-1-2
Noppert
Timber - Van Dijk - Aké
Dumfries - De Roon - De Jong - Blind
Gakpo
Bergwijn - Memphis Depay
Argentina : 5-3-2
Martínez
Molina - Romero - Otamendi - Martínez - Acuña
Mac Allister - Enzo - De Paul
Messi - Álvarez
The top man is ready to go!
LVG looking serious tonight as his team continue their warm up before the team talks start in around 10 minutes.
Cargando...
And this is the view from the inside!
The fans are filling it up nicely - the players are already out on the pitch warming up!
Not long to go...
Here's how the Lusail Stadium looks from the outside!
Not long to wait for more football fun!
Just over half an hour to go!
Where are you watching vs from?
Let us know on Twitter (@English_AS / @j4brennan).
Lionel Scaloni pre-match comments:
"De Paul trained well yesterday. Sometimes I decide that if a player has played in a match then they miss some part of training afterwards."
"The players who play have to be at the top level of fitness."
"How am I going to think about penalties now? That's not the way to think. We are only thinking about the game."
Louis van Gaal pre-match comments:
"My players are sufficiently professional to deal with the atmosphere from the Argentinian fans. But it won't be easy at all because there will be more than 40,000 fans supporting them and we have a lot fewer."
"In my opinion, Argentina is a top side and they are a different team, like Brazil, that we haven't faced until now."
"When I started using this more defensive system in 2014, everyone criticised it. Now, everyone's using it. Football has evolved."
Netherlands vs Argentina: head to head record
Here's how the two teams have fared against each other in past editions of the fixture.
Out of 5 World Cup ties, the Netherlands lead the way with 2 wins; Argentina have a single win and the spoils have been shared twice. The Netherlands are up 7-4 on goals scored.
Will we see Argentina draw level or will the Dutch pull away even more?
Cargando...
Argentina are in the house!
Will we see an Argentina vs Croatia semi-final?
Cargando...
Here's the Netherlands starting XI
Official confirmation from the Oranje:
Cargando...
Netherlands vs Argentina - starting XIs
Netherlands : 5-3-2
Noppert
Dumfries - Timber - Van Dijk - Aké - Blind
De Roon - De Jong
Gakpo
Bergwijn - Memphis Depay
Argentina : 5-3-2
Martínez
Molina - Romero - Otamendi - Martínez - Acuña
Mac Allister - Enzo - De Paul
Messi - Álvarez
We have our first semi-finalist!
It's Croatia!
They have beaten Brazil on penalties and have become the first team through to the semi finals of the World Cup 2022!
Netherlands vs Argentina lineups
Official confirmation of the starting XIs should be confirmed soon... I think they're all watching the penalty shootout here between Croatia and Brazil.
The Cruijff Arena is looking very... spaceship
It took me a moment to work out exactly what or where this was - but it's the Johan Cruijff Arena in Amsterdam! All prepared for the game!
Cargando...
Well, well, well...
You may have heard, but we've had an incredibly late equaliser in extra-time in the Croatia vs Brazil game.
Penalties, anyone?
Some early team news for Argentina:
It looks as though Ángel Di María is going to start on the bench, with Messi and Álvarez up top with a back 3 of Romero, Otamendi and L Martínez.
Netherlands and Argentina's team news
Basically, there are no injury concerns for either team, apart from the potential doubt surrounding Papu Gómez, after he came off early against Australia. Ángel Di María missed the Round of 16 win but should be fit and firing to start alongside Lionel Messi and Julián Álvarez.
As for the Oranje, LVG has absolutely no injury worries that we know of, save for a surprise announcement. His squad has been slowly picking up the pace and looked dangerous from all sides against the USA, so we should be in for a yummy football treat.
The Albiceleste dressing room is ready
Not only have we got a mega-match between the Netherlands and Argentina in a World Cup quarter-final, but they're both wearing their stunning traditional colours. Lovely.
Cargando...
Maybe we have the first semi-finalist of the World Cup...
There's been an absolutely wonderful goal in the Croatia vs Brazil game - but to who? Go check it out here.
Photo from AFP
It will be a meeting of two old colleagues tonight, as Louis van Gaal was in charge of Manchester United at the time when Ángel Di María signed for the club. They both look amicable here in the photo however the two men did not see eye to eye (to put it lightly) and neither the Argentinian nor LVG's time ended well at the Red Devils. Tonight's tie is full of links to the past, and this is one of the spicier ones.
Here is how fans of the Albiceleste are preparing!
And here is how the Argentinafans feel about the match today - I reckon they're in a good mood too!
Cargando...
Are you wearing Oranje?
Safe to say the fans are ready for the game! Will Louis van Gaal's side be able to get revenge for the 2014 heartbreak?
Cargando...
Over on the other side, we've got Croatia and Brazil playing 'who is going to get tired first?'... their game has just gone to extra time!
The last time these two sides met...
It was in 2014, in the semi-final stage. Nope? Me neither.
That's because 24 hours earlier we saw Germany beat Brazil 7-1. That's why you don't remember!
Van Gaal was there, so was Lionel Messi. But it wasn't a classic, no need to go to Blockbusters - or wherever the kids these days get their DVDs out - to watch it back.
It finished 0-0, and went all the way to penalties, with Maxi Rodríguez the hero after his shot was smashed through Cillessen's hands to send Argentina to the World Cup final.
Probably best not to mention what happened next for them.
We've had some classic moments over the years between these two teams
Anyone remember this from Dennis Bergkamp?
Cargando...
Are you wearing Oranje or blue?
Make sure to get in touch with AS or myself on Twitter and tell us what you make of how tonight's game is shaping up!
@English_AS / @j4brennan
It's Señor Mateu Lahoz who is in charge of tonight's game. Fans of Spanish football will surely recognise the face of La Liga's most talkative referee, as he's been on our screens since 2008!
So, apparently, Messi is quite good.
But how good? Is he just good, or really good, or even better than that?
Make up your own mind after you read about his World Cup record.
How did Argentina get here?
The shocks are over and the shackles are off for Argentina, who started their World Cup campaign on the wrong side of a 2-1 result against Saudi Arabia. Some people lost their minds but others kept their calm and within that group were the Argentina players themselves, who swiftly went through the gears in the next game and beat Mexico 2-0.
A superb goal from that guy started things off and he celebrated like never before Enzo Fernández curled one into the top corner from the edge of the box in the last few minutes to seal the deal for Lionel Scaloni's side.
Poland went through with the Albiceleste despite looking like the players were running wearing denim jeans; goals from Mac Allister and Julián Álvarez made sure Argentina finished the group stage with 6 points and top of the group. The early yawns and tired faces against Saudi Arabia were gone.
The Europeans were promptly dispatched by France; Argentina put Australia to the sword with more goals from Messi and Julián Álvarez.
| group C | T | MP | W | D | L |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| 2 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 3 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 4 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
The best in the world vs the tournament's breakout star.
Lionel Messi vs Cody Gakpo.
How did the Netherlands get here?
By plane, probably.
In the end, the Netherlands made light work of their group, beating Senegal 2-0 in their opening game after two late goals from Cody Gakpo and Davy Klaassen gave the three points to Louis van Gaal's side.
Cody Gakpo, the scorer of the opener, quickly became the player on everybody's lips and has continued to do so with fantastic attacking performacnes which have him as a top transfer target for many sides around Europe.
A 1-1 draw against Ecuador came next, and Gustavo Alfaro's side kept their hopes of progressing alive with a sturdy defensive performance which made the Netherlands huff and puff to come away with a point. Hosts Qatar became the first side to drop out of the tournament at this point, losing to Senegal.
The final game was against already eliminated Qatar and the European side played without pressure and swept the Asians aside with ease. 7 points was more than enough to finish the group stage at the top and with a lot of confidence in what LVG wanted to do with his team.
The Round of 16 game against the USA was a different showing of skill altogether from the side, who continued to adapt to defeat their opponents. Gregg Berhalter's side had impressed in Group B and finished the first round unbeaten against England, Wales and Iran. The Netherlands, however, did not take any notice of them and outclassed the Americans with their superior attacking talent. It was not Cody Gakpo who led them to a 3.1 win but right-back Denzel Dumfries.
Now, Argentina await the Oranje.
| group A | T | MP | W | D | L |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 7 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| 2 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| 3 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 4 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
World Cup quarter finals today and tomorrow
We are covering all four of the World Cup quarter-finals here at AS USA:
Croatia vs Brazil (here!)
Netherlands vs Argentina (with me!)
Morocco vs Portugal
England (no flag) vs France
Check out the other quarter-final game today - Croatia vs Brazil!
Two lovely teams in two gorgeous shirts.
The story so far...
The Netherlands got here by beating the USA 3-1 at the Khalifa International Stadium and a masterful show from everyone’s favourite Euro 2020 right-back Denzel Dumfries getting two assists and a goal.
Argentina arrived to the quarter-final round on the back of a 2-1 victory over Australia. Those pesky Australians almost made it 2-2 right at the end but the South Americans held on and yes, Messi is one step closer to getting his hands on the trophy.
Welcome!
Hello hello! A big, warm welcome to the AS USA live coverage of the Netherlands vs Argentina in the World Cup Quarter-final round! Two days without football - how did we survive? - but now, yes! It’s back!
It’s all very exciting, as the winner of this game will face Croatia/Brazil [delete as appropriate] in the Semi-final! It’s Joe here and I’ll be guiding through all the laughs and tears of tonight’s huge game.