Argentina and star forward Lionel Messi moved to the semis after a great comeback
Argentina and star forward Lionel Messi are moving on to the World Cup semifinals, after surviving a shocking two-goal second half comeback from the Netherlands in a match many are calling the most entertaining of the tournament so far.
Argentina won the match 4-3 in a penalty kick shootout after the score was tied 2-2 after extra time.
Argentina got off to a 2-0 lead thanks to goals from Messi and Nahuel Molina, but squandered the lead away in the final few minutes of the second half.
The Netherlands got the first goal back on a Wout Weghorst score in the 83rd minute, then tied the match on another Weghorst goal in the 10th minute of stoppage time with just seconds to spare.
17. That's how many yellow cards were issued in the chaotic match, setting a new World Cup record. There were no red cards.
Argentina faces Croatia in the semifinals Tuesday, after Croatia pulled off a massive upset earlier Friday, knocking off tournament favorites Brazil.
Argentina’s run is being closely watched around the world since it’s expected to be the last chance for Messi, 35, to win the world’s biggest sporting event.
He came close to winning in 2014, when Argentina lost to Germany in extra time of the World Cup final, but the 2022 World Cup is now the only other time in his career he’s advanced beyond the quarterfinal stage.
The Netherlands headed into the match as underdogs despite a strong performance in the group stage and a 3-1 win over the U.S. in the round of 16.
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