A dream pass, an equalizer in the eleventh minute of stoppage time and a decision from the penalty spot: the World Cup quarterfinals between the Netherlands and Argentina had everything a footballer’s heart could desire.
In the second semi-final of this World Cup, South American champions Argentina met the top European team, the Netherlands. It was a duel between two old masters: Lionel Messi against Louis van Gaal. One on the pitch, the other on the sidelines. The expectations were high, they were exceeded: It was a drama in three acts – with the better ending for the Argentines.
Act One: Messi’s Magic Moment
The game started calmly and cautiously. There were few chances on either side. And it didn’t look particularly dangerous either when Lionel Messi got the ball in the 35th minute. The Argentinian superstar was a good 30 meters from the goal – the Dutch defense was good. But then the brilliant moment: Messi sent Nahuel Molina with a through ball. Past all players in orange. Molina took the ball and poked it into the net.
If Messi had played the pass just half a second earlier or later, it might have gotten caught by a Dutch defender. On Twitter, a user even suggested that Messi was the only one in the stadium who saw an opportunity at that moment – and took it.
Reactions to this pass, which was much more celebrated than the goal, were overwhelming on the net. Some even wanted to marry Messi’s template, they fell in love with him so much. He was also able to win over prominent fans – like the Scottish tennis star Andy Murray.
Act Two: The Wout-Weghorst Madness
Messi increased the penalty in the second half. At this point, after 73 minutes of play, Argentina seemed to have one foot in the semi-finals. Five minutes later – in the 78th minute of the game – Wout Weghorst came on for the Dutch side. A real “nine” that should bring the late goal.
He delivered as ordered, Weghorst hit his head shortly after his substitution. Only one goal was missing in overtime. But Elftal was running out of time – even in the long ten minutes of stoppage time they were unable to equalize. A free kick in the eleventh minute of extra time was the last hope: Instead of circling the goal directly, Koopmeiners passed the ball low to Weghorst.
“The idea is sensational“Sportschau expert Bastian Schweinsteiger praised the Dutchman’s free-kick trick:”Even as Weghorst does it, he is actually covered. Then they surprised us all. Therefore: hats off. Weghorst is great at putting his body in there.“The goal in the very last minute caused ecstasy in the Netherlands – and unexpectedly for 30 more minutes.
Act Three: Final decision in penalty shootout
But the extension initially brought little more highlights. Argentina missed two late chances and went to penalties. The Netherlands were unable to save the first two penalties, with two saves from Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez. So Oranje quickly fell behind – which they could not catch up on. Lautaro Martínez, the goalkeeper’s namesake, then ensured the Albiceleste’s final progress.
“It’s incredible. In the end we suffered a lot. We thought we were done and just couldn’t believe it could get that far“, Lionel Messi summed up the game. “But don’t get discouraged and keep going. We then knew that we all had to stand together in the penalty shoot-out and luckily it worked.”
For Messi, this game still gives him the chance to gild his career with a World Cup title. Beside him was a second man Hero of the South Americans. Emiliano Martínez saved two penalties, paving the way: “We did it for our country, for 45 million Argentines. Our country is so bad, now you’re a little joy. This is so beautiful.”
Now they play against Croatia in the semifinals. Why should the title follow now? “Because we have passion, because we have heart. And because we’re doing it for 45 million Argentines“, said Martínez after the final whistle. But this quarter-final was not only made for the Argentines – but for every football fan in the world.