Argentina progressed to the World Cup semi-finals in essentially the most dramatic of circumstances after successful a basic with Holland.
Emiliano Martinez proved to be their hero with two saves within the penalty shoot-out that adopted an exhilarating 2-2 attract Lusail.
Argentina thought that they had the competition sewn up because of targets by Nahuel Molina and Lionel Messi, just for Wout Weghorst to rescue Holland with two late targets.
Jubilant Argentina gamers rejoice their progress to the World Cup semi-finals after they defeated Holland 4-3 on penalties following a pulsating 2-2 draw
The nice margins of soccer had been very a lot proof in a basic World Cup quarter-final
However the South Individuals had been in a position to re-focus in additional time after which held their nerve within the shoot-out to arrange a semi-final towards Croatia.
Sportsmail’s IAN HERBERT gave his participant scores and ADAM SHERGOLD gives his analysis of every efficiency.
HOLLAND
Andries Noppert – 6
Virtually got here a cropper with a careless move within the opening minute however handled most issues Argentina threw at him, notably within the latter levels of additional time after they appeared to seek out contemporary power. The 6ft 8in keeper powerless within the shoot-out, nevertheless.
Jurrien Timber – 6
Walked the disciplinary tightrope throughout additional time and was unquestionably on his closing warning earlier than a second yellow card. Nonetheless, the teen confirmed admirable composure for essentially the most half within the largest recreation of his profession so far.
Virgil van Dijk – 6
Displayed his ordinary composure and exemplary management, particularly when calming these round him throughout spells of stress. However simply misplaced his nerve with a poor penalty within the shoot-out having stepped up first for his staff.
Virgil van Dijk reacts after seeing his penalty kick saved by Emiliano Martinez within the shoot-out
Nathan Ake – 6
Overloaded at occasions, particularly with Messi drifting round, however largely strong. Additionally has that capability to step out of defence and launch an extended move, which troubled Argentina at occasions.
Denzel Dumfries – 6
Nowhere close to as influential as in then last-16 recreation with the US as Argentina stored shut tabs on him. His frustration was compounded by the contact on Acuna that led to the penalty for the second objective.
Denzel Dumfries has loved an excellent match however he was properly shackled right here
Marten De Roon – 5
Taken off at half-time in a kind of sometimes ruthless Van Gaal strikes however in equity had supplied little chew within the midfield with Holland unable to generate something going ahead within the 45 minutes he performed.
Frenkie de Jong – 7
His ordinary neat and tidy self when it got here to passing on the events Holland loved the ball. However finally could not bend the sport to his will, even when higher areas opened up after half-time. Followers will sit up for seeing him on the match stage sooner or later although.
It was a troublesome night time for Frenkie de Jong conserving tabs on Lionel Messi and Argentina
Daley Blind – 6
Was accountable for shedding observe of Molina for the opening Argentina objective though in his defence the possibilities of Messi selecting that by way of move appeared a million-to-one. Appeared to choose up a knock halfway by way of the second-half and was withdrawn.
Cody Gakpo – 6
Actually able to providing Holland a spark however taking part in off Bergwijn and Depay as he did within the first-half did not actually work. His impression pale as the sport drew on however the World Cup has executed no hurt to his switch worth.
Memphis Depay – 5
Massively disappointing. Grafted up entrance however by no means obtained sufficient of the ball to affect issues. A couple of minutes early within the second half had been instructive when he twice surrendered the ball having tried just a little too onerous to make one thing occur. Taken off to facilitate the change of method which turned the sport on its head late on.
It simply wasn’t Depay’s night time as he tried just a little too onerous at occasions to make an impression on the sport
Steven Bergwijn – 5
Was distraught to be taken off at half-time however had barely had a sniff of objective aside from one effort that was dragged miles large. Was a mistake to play him when the extra direct method paid off. He was even booked for arguing when on the bench.
SUBSTITUTES
Steven Berghuis (for Bergwijn 46mins) – 6
Delivered the perfect cross from which Weghorst glanced dwelling the objective to offer Holland hope however then missed his penalty.
Teun Koopmeiners (for De Roon 46mins) – 6.5
An improve within the centre of the park and laid on the ingenious free-kick move from which Weghorst equalised.
Luuk de Jong (for Blind 64mins) – 5.5
Precipitated a little bit of chaos along with his peak however nowhere close to the identical impression as Weghorst, who got here on 14 minutes later.
Wout Weghorst (for Depay 78mins) – 8
An impressed substitution from Van Gaal and virtually the proper story of redemption for the person who flopped at Burnley. Soccer does have some unusual tales.
Wout Weghorst got here on and adjusted the sport round for Holland out of completely nothing
Noa Lang (for Gakpo 113mins)
COACH
Louis van Gaal – 5.5
So practically conjured a miracle with a determined change of method within the dying embers however his preliminary recreation plan had barely landed a punch on Argentina. There shall be loads of pundits in Holland happy to see the again of him however, my goodness, what an entertaining profession.
It was a troublesome method for Louis van Gaal to bow out after an extended and distinguished profession
ARGENTINA
Emiliano Martinez – 7
The penalty shoot-out hero with prime saves from Virgil van Dijk and Steven Berghuis, persevering with his superb file in such conditions. Wasn’t troubled by the Dutch for a lot of the recreation and may blame his defenders for the 2 targets that sullied his clear sheet. All proper in the long run although.
Emiliano Martinez made two glorious saves within the shoot-out so Argentina may progress
Nahuel Molina – 7
Took his objective very properly having had the wherewithal to run into the field earlier than Messi discovered him with an outrageous no-look move. Molina was a daily risk at proper wing-back, adapting to Lionel Scaloni’s change of formation very properly.
Molina could not include his pleasure after scoring Argentina’s opening objective in the course of the first half
Cristian Romero – 6
Regarded good after Argentina conceded twice after he was subbed off! Saved the Dutch attackers on a decent rein all through, was composed and unafraid of throwing himself into tackles. Solely blot on his copybook was a foolish yellow for handball .
Nicolas Otamendi – 6
Lived on the sting at occasions, inevitably getting himself booked deep into stoppage time having given away the free-kick that led to Holland;’s equaliser. Had seemed composed sufficient as much as that time.
Lisandro Martinez – 6
Not fairly pretty much as good as a few of his Manchester United performances this season and there shall be questions over his aerial capability after Weghorst bought above him to attain. Somebody who is not afraid of events similar to this, nevertheless, and relished the bodily side.
Lisandro Martinez celebrates on the finish as Argentina lived to combat one other day in Qatar
Marcos Acuna – 6
A very good show down the left which was capped when he gained the penalty for Messi to make it 2-0. Actually gained his direct battle towards Dumfries. Confirmed a nasty streak when he intentionally raked his studs down the again of Dumfries’ legs, nevertheless, which led Jurrien Timber to shove him over.
Rodrigo De Paul – 7
Overcame health points to begin the sport and put in a shift to make sure Argentina gained the midfield battle. Even had a few half-chances come his method which he could not capitalise on. It was little shock when he was the primary from his staff to be withdrawn.
Enzo Fernandez – 7
The 21-year-old shall be upset about his missed penalty but it surely did not matter in the long run. He would possibly properly have gained the sport when he hit the bottom of the submit within the closing minute of additional time. Performed very properly all through, with a maturity that belies his younger age.
Alexis Mac Allister – 6
The Brighton man actually seems the half on this Argentina staff and is barely too joyful to drive them ahead, linking up properly with Messi when he drops off. There was one second when he ought to have performed De Paul by way of on objective however over-hit the move.
Julian Alvarez – 7
The Manchester Metropolis man can have been upset no respectable possibilities fell his method however he did the basics properly sufficient to proceed his run of type on the World Cup.
Lionel Messi – 9
Possibly the celebs are aligning for Messi and Argentina, particularly after Brazil exited. Messi is making this match his with each passing recreation and right here was one other good efficiency. The by way of move he performed to Molina was one solely he may produce and each the penalties he took on the night time had been scientific. Got here inside a whisker of his World Cup dream dying without end but it surely may but occur.
Lionel Messi’s World Cup desires may but come true after Argentina scraped by way of
Substitutes
Leandro Paredes (for De Paul 67mins) – 6.5
Practically misplaced his head when he booted the ball on the Dutch bench having scythed down Nathan Ake.
Nicolas Tagliafico (for Acuna 78mins)
German Pezzella (for Romero 78mins)
Lautaro Martinez (for Alvarez 82mins)
It fell to Lautaro Martinez to attain the decisive penalty within the shoot-out, sparking celebrations
Gonzalo Montiel (for Molina 106mins)
Angel Di Maria (for Lisandro Martinez 112mins)
COACH
Lionel Scaloni – 7
Determined to match Holland’s 3-5-2 formation and it was working a deal with till his defenders misplaced their nerve towards bodily opposition and agricultural ways late on. However they recovered their composure and it was all proper on the night time.
