World Cup 2022 LIVE: Netherlands vs Argentina penalty shootout result and final score as Lionel Messi’s side through to semi-finals

Imagine you’re getting into probably the final 12 minutes of a 36-year-long profession. Imagine that after all of the stresses, all of the anxieties, all of the late nights and the time spent away from residence, it seems to be like that is it. That’s all she wrote.

Imagine that you’ve got an concept, although. Something that would stretch these 36 years a number of days additional, to put you inside a number of extra days of a shot at what could be the best achievement of that lengthy and tough profession. Imagine all of that and then think about saying: “Wout, get your bib off.”

“Football isn’t played like it was in 1998 anymore,” Louis van Gaal had insisted earlier than assembly Argentina, throughout his newest face-off with Dutch journalists who’ve been lower than enamoured with the Netherlands’ fashion of play throughout his third stint in cost. He’s proper, it’s not. Yet as midnight approached in Lusail and the clock on the scoreboards ticked into triple figures, it felt lots like 1974.

It speaks to Gareth Southgate’s confidence on this England group that he had determined his formation and beginning XI for the France match on Monday morning. While so many others across the squad had been worrying about Kylian Mbappe, and questioning whether or not Southgate would agonise over a wide selection on how to method him, the supervisor had already lengthy made up his thoughts.

That got here after a 9am presentation on France from FA head of teaching Steve Dittmer that simply confirmed what the England supervisor was already considering. Southgate is now so assured in his group that he doesn’t really feel they want to compromise for a participant like Mbappe in the best way he used to.

That has solely helped to focus the work of the week. The key for the coaches since then, and particularly within the day earlier than the sport, has been to distil all essential factors to messages the gamers can simply digest.

Gareth Southgate has bullishly defended his tactical method, saying his job is “to win football matches” and “not just have a philosophy”.

The debate round England’s assault has shaped one of many principal remaining criticisms of the supervisor, with Southgate generally perceived as missing an enormous concept in contrast to different main nations.

In what could possibly be construed as a pointed line about Spain and Germany’s World Cup campaigns although, Southgate mentioned: “If you’re going home at the start of the tournament then the philosophy doesn’t wash”.

Lionel Messi has known as on Fifa to drop referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz after the World Cup quarter-final between Argentina and Netherlands.

The Albiceleste prevailed 4-3 on penalties, however the Spanish referee prompted controversy in the best way he officiated the match.

Lahoz handed out 16 yellow playing cards over the course of the tie as feelings spilled over, together with Messi.

5/6 vs 1/4 – Argentina have received essentially the most penalty shootouts of any side in World Cup historical past (5 wins from 6), whereas solely Spain (4) have misplaced extra penalty shootouts on the World Cup than Netherlands (1 win from 4).

Wout Weghorst has turn out to be the primary ever substitute to score twice in a World Cup match for Netherlands.

His equaliser was timed at 100:30 – the newest second half purpose in a World Cup knockout stage recreation since Opta have actual purpose occasions (from 1966).

The 2022 World Cup is reaching the enterprise finish as 32 nations started on 20 November aiming to elevate the Jules Rimet trophy in Doha on 18 December.

Despite the various off-field points across the match in Qatar, the group stage threw up loads of thrills and spills, with Argentina shedding to Saudi Arabia happening as one of many biggest shocks of any World Cup in historical past. Japan additionally shocked Germany, whereas Spain and England racked up objectives in assertion opening wins.

There are solely a handful of groups left in Qatar as the semi-final come into sight earlier than the final itself on Sunday December 18.

Here are the groups who’ve certified for the semi-finals:

As Emiliano Martinez’s spell persists, and Lionel Messi continues to conjure magic, Louis van Gaal’s attraction eventually wears off. But solely simply. Van Gaal enthrallingly and admirably pushed his Netherlands group and Argentina to the very restrict, getting back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 and so shut to essentially the most becoming of victories.

It wasn’t to be, however solely after a frankly unbelievable quantity of drama and as a result of Martinez stays the grasp at penalty kicks. The goalkeeper once more ended up Argentina’s true hero, even on an evening when Messi scored and produced one in every of his most impressed World Cup moments.

That means this can be the final match of Van Gaal’s profession, however what a recreation. Qatar’s sportswashing now has an epic to go together with so many nice moments.

It additionally means it will get extra of Messi. He might but have his most stunning ending, however solely after one thing that turned as ugly as it did farcically entertaining. Argentina had to battle for it. They had to scrap for it.