Argentina Survives Staggering Netherlands Comeback To Reach World Cup Semifinals

Topline

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.

Lionel Messi of Argentina celebrates scoring the team’s first penalty in the penalty shoot out … [+] during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 quarterfinal match between the Netherlands and Argentina at Lusail Stadium on December 9, 2022 in Lusail City, Qatar. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)

Getty Images

Key Facts

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.

Big Number

17. That’s how many yellow cards were issued in the chaotic match, setting a new World Cup record. There were no red cards.

What To Watch For

Argentina faces Croatia in the semifinals Tuesday, after Croatia pulled off a massive upset earlier Friday, knocking off tournament favorites Brazil.

Key Background

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.

Tangent

Morocco is the only other non-European team left in the World Cup, and it’s already made history as the first Arab nation to make it to the quarterfinals. If Morocco wins its match against Portugal on Saturday, it will become the first African team to ever make it to the semifinals.