Argentina’s 1×1 against the Netherlands

Argentina suffered a painful defeat in the World Cup semifinals by defeating the Netherlands in a shootout. Scaloni’s team controlled the game but 17 fatal minutes saw it sent to extra time. Messi, Paredes, Montiel (Enzo did) and Lautaro did not fail from the eleven meters and Dibu, with two saves, became the great hero.

Dibu Martinez

hero

He saved the first two penalties for the Netherlands (on Van Dijk and Berghuis) in the shootout to bring Argentina closer to the semis of the World Cup. He did nothing until the Oranje created two chances in the final minutes that led to extra time. Again, the penalties are decided by lottery

26

Nahuel Molina

Goal scorer

The right winger was Argentina’s most prolific player in the first half and found reward for his bravery with a fine goal after a great assist from Messi.

13

Rosemary

I laughed

He controlled his pitch with success and poise and his departure from the field of play (he was reprimanded) in a 0-2 lead gave way to the Netherlands’ offensive avalanche.

19

otamendi

Innocent

The centre-back worked hard to stop the Oranje attackers and drew a needless foul that ended the Netherlands’ equalizer and took the game into extra time. In addition, he was too soft in marking Weghorst before the goal.

25

lysander

overwhelmed

As long as the Netherlands did not attack, there was no trouble, but once Van Gaal’s team began to use direct play Weghorst and De Jong struggled in the air.

8

coin

Lungs

He forced his side and forced the penalty where Argentina reached the semifinals.

7

to Paul

Blurry

He contributed in his routine and matches but on the ball he was thick and mischievous again.

24

Enzo Fernandez

Director

The midfielder who best defined what the game demands of all time. He brings definition in circulation and varies speed depending on what his team needs. Messi’s best partner in the quarterfinals. He came up big in extra time, hitting the post in the last second of extra time and missing his penalty in the shootout, with no consequences.

twenty

McAllister

Tornado

He broke through midfield to keep his team balanced but was not very good on the ball.

10

Messi

Genius

The star assisted Nahuel Molina with a wonderful pass, a home trademark, to put Argentina ahead and didn’t miss from eleven meters to make it 0-2. He was angry with Mateu Lahoz and the brutality with which the Netherlands was used. He scored the first pitch of the shootout to lead off the semifinals.

9

Julian Alvarez

Mobile

It was emptied to help the pressure and cover the ball outlet from the Netherlands but had little effect on the albiceleste attack. He was replaced by Lautaro in the 82′, before the Oranje’s reaction.

6

pizza

surpassed

He stepped in for the booked Romero to protect the result but found himself overtaken by the Dutch attackers.

5

Walls

calmly

His entry onto the pitch had major consequences for Argentina, who lost their midfield and had to retreat to protect an advantage they ultimately squandered. He scored his penalty in the shootout with authority.

3

tagliafico

Defensive

He came in to close down his side but was stunned when the Oranje crossed into the box for a poignant equaliser.

22

Lautaro

Decisive

It wasn’t his fault, but his entrance into the party coincided with the fall. He had a chance in extra time that he missed but he responded by scoring the decisive penalty in the shootout.

4

Montiel

sign

He went into overtime and didn’t shake his wrist in the shootout to mark his launch.

Eleven

Mary said

exhausted

He arrived in the tie between cotton and entered the last 10 minutes of extra time because he was not for more.