Lionel Messi’s Argentina had to overcome a staunch Netherlands team in their quarterfinal clash on penalties, despite taking a 2-0 lead in the regular time. Argentina had their one foot into the semifinals after racing to a two-goal lead with 15 minutes remaining, with Nihuel Molina and Lionel Messi on the scoresheet for the two-time world champions. However, two goals from the Netherlands in 17 minutes [thanks to 10 minutes of added time], dragged the game into the extra time.
With extra-time too unable to churn out a winner, it was the penalty shootout that followed. And the Netherlands’ struggles against Argentina in a penalty shootout, which date back to the 2014 semifinals of the same competition, continued after 8 years as well. Van Gaal’s team got pushed out of the tournament in a thrilling encounter of spot-kicks which the South Americans won 4-3. However, despite the win, Lionel Messi was not happy with the refereeing of Mateu Lahoz, who indeed had an absurd game.
Lionel Messi calls out the referee for his team’s unnecessary suffering
While the 120 minutes of football, plus the penalty shootout between the two giants was quite thrilling, the referee Mateu Lahoz just added more fire to it. The Spanish referee rather had a more exciting night than the two teams, flashing out a record-breaking 17 yellow cards in total, with 14 to the players from both the sides, and 3 to their staffs. Even Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni wasn’t sparred who received a yellow.
The Netherlands’ full-back was shown a second yellow and subsequently a red after the 120 minutes completed, whereas center-forward Noa Lang was booked with a yellow during the penalty shootouts. Lahoz apparently loved the chaos, having already called 48 fouls, awarded one penalty flashed over a dozen cards. But Lionel Messi wasn’t having the fun, who launched a scathing attack on the officiating in his post-match presser, as he said:
“I don’t want to talk about the referee because you can’t be honest. If you talk they sanction you, FIFA must review it, they can’t put a referee like that for these instances, they can’t put a referee who isn’t up to the task.”
The winning captain went on:
“A lot of joy and relief. It wasn’t to go to penalty kicks. We suffered too much for how it all happened. But the it’s the quarter finals of the World Cup. Going through is the most beautiful and impressive thing. Argentina is among the top four, because we show game after game that we know how to play each game with the same intensity, with the same will.”
Lionel Messi, who is aiming to lift the world title in his last ever FIFA World Cup tournament, is now one step closer to realizing his dream. His Argentina now play 2018’s beaten finalists Croatia in the semifinals next week, with an eye on the final. The two sides last met during the previous edition’s group stage, where Croatia dismantled the Messi-led team 3-0. However, a new-look Argentina will want their revenge as well as a place in the finals of this tournament.