- Netherlands’ Beerensteyn on USWNT: ‘From start of Women’s World Cup, they had really big mouth’ The Athletic
- USWNT ‘big mouths’ slammed by Netherlands star Beerensteyn – ESPN ESPN
- Big Match Predictor | Spain vs. Netherlands: Can Alexia Putellas & Co Continue Best Ever Run? DAZN Women’s Football
- Netherlands star Lineth Beerensteyn delighted by ‘big mouth’ US’ elimination from Women’s World Cup CNN
- ‘We can beat them’ – Netherlands coach Jonker confident ahead of World Cup quarter-final clash against Spain Eurosport COM
- View Full Coverage on Google News
Tag Archives: Netherlands
Netherlands blast ‘amateurism’ of WWC organisation – ESPN – ESPN
- Netherlands blast ‘amateurism’ of WWC organisation – ESPN ESPN
- ‘Amateurism of the highest order’ – Netherlands team fume after being forced to train on cricket pitch at Women’s World Cup Goal.com
- Netherlands’ Women’s World Cup 2023 training facilities labelled ‘amateurism of the highest order’ The Athletic
- Netherlands left fuming over World Cup ‘amateurism of the highest order’ The Guardian
- 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup Netherlands vs. Portugal odds, picks, predictions: Best bets for Sunday’s match from acclaimed soccer expert SportsLine
- View Full Coverage on Google News
Netherlands blast ‘amateurism’ of WWC organisation – ESPN
- Netherlands blast ‘amateurism’ of WWC organisation ESPN
- Netherlands’ Women’s World Cup 2023 training facilities labelled ‘amateurism of the highest order’ The Athletic
- 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup Netherlands vs. Portugal odds, picks, predictions: Best bets for Sunday’s match from acclaimed soccer expert SportsLine
- Women’s World Cup 2023: How the Netherlands Can Advance to the Round of 16 The New York Times
- Netherlands Women vs Portugal Women Prediction and Betting Tips | July 23rd 2023 Sportskeeda
- View Full Coverage on Google News
Netherlands and Japan join US in restricting chip exports to China
Japan and the Netherlands will restrict exports of chip manufacturing tools to China after reaching a deal with the US designed to make it harder for the Chinese military to develop advanced weapons.
Several people familiar with the trilateral agreement said the countries reached an agreement on Friday after a final round of high-level talks at the White House. The accord comes three months after Washington imposed unilateral export controls that barred US companies from selling advanced chipmaking equipment to Chinese groups.
The White House declined to comment. But the deal marks a significant milestone in US efforts to work with allies to hinder Chinese efforts to develop its semiconductor industry.
Joe Biden’s administration has been negotiating with the countries for two years but faced resistance because they were worried about the effect on their chipmaking tool companies, particularly ASML in the Netherlands and Tokyo Electron and Nikon in Japan.
In October, the US announced sweeping unilateral export controls that were designed to complicate Chinese efforts to obtain, or develop, advanced semiconductors for use in supercomputers and other military-related applications, such as artificial intelligence, nuclear weapons modelling and hypersonic weapons.
The US chip manufacturing tool groups that dominate the sector — Applied Materials, Lam Research and KLA — were concerned that the October move imposed restrictions on them but not ASML and Tokyo Electron. At the time, Alan Estevez, the top commerce department official for export controls, justified the move, saying it would prove to allies that the US had “skin in the game” and was willing to take tough decisions.
Estevez and Tarun Chhabra, the National Security Council official who is the driving force behind the move, stepped up efforts in recent months to convince the allies during visits to Tokyo and The Hague.
Several people said the three countries had decided not to make the details public due to the sensitive nature of the discussions. Washington wanted to give Japan and the Netherlands space to decide how to communicate the restrictions. It remains unclear what mechanisms the countries will use to impose the restrictions on their chip tool companies.
Tokyo and The Hague are also concerned about being seen to have signed up to an American policy that is specifically targeted at China.
Dutch prime minister Mark Rutte this week said that while public attention on chip tool exports had been focused on Japan, the Netherlands, US and China, the discussion was “broader than that”.
The increase in pressure on the allies in recent months came after US national security adviser Jake Sullivan in September signalled a significant change in policy. In a speech, he said the US should abandon its “sliding scale” approach of trying to stay two generations of chips ahead, and instead “maintain as large as a lead as possible”.
Rutte told the Financial Times in an interview that the Netherlands saw “eye to eye” with those who argued that western high-end chips should not be used in the weapons of some countries. He said western nations and Asian partners had to maintain the “leading edge” on chips.
He added that the debate was broader than just one Dutch company. Rutte said he was “absolutely convinced” that it was possible to get to a “solution with the many partners we are discussing with” and added that “The Hague was co-ordinating with everybody”.
In a statement, ASML said it understood “that steps have been made towards an agreement between governments which, to our understanding, will be focused on advanced chip manufacturing technology, including but not limited to advanced lithography tools. Before it will come into effect it has to be detailed out and implemented into legislation which will take time.”
ASML added that based on comments from government officials and its understanding of the timeline, “we do not expect these measures to have a material effect on the expectations that we have published for 2023”.
Bloomberg first reported the deal.
Follow Demetri Sevastopulo and Sam Fleming on Twitter
Netherlands says it will send Patriot assistance to Ukraine
WASHINGTON (AP) — Netherlands Prime Minister Mark Rutte said Tuesday that his country plans to “join” the U.S. and Germany’s efforts to train and arm Ukraine with advanced Patriot defense systems.
Rutte signaled the Netherlands’ intentions at the start of a White House meeting with President Joe Biden. The Dutch defense ministry said that Rutte’s announcement came after Ukraine had asked the Netherlands to provide “Patriot capacity.”
“We have the intention to join what you are doing with Germany on the Patriot project,” Rutte told Biden. “I think that it’s important we join that.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in his nightly address that the Netherlands had agreed to send Ukraine a Patriot battery. “So, there are now three guaranteed batteries. But this is only the beginning. We are working on new solutions to strengthen our air defense,” Zelenskyy said.
Rutte, who said he also spoke with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Tuesday about the potential assistance, was more vague about the commitment in his public comments. He told Dutch broadcaster NOS that his government is in talks about what exactly it can contribute. The Dutch military has four Patriot systems, one of which is not in service, according to the defense ministry.
“The idea is not only training, but also equipment,” Rutte told NOS. He added that the Dutch military is now reviewing “what exactly we have, how can we ensure that it works well with the American and German systems.”
He added during a forum at Georgetown University that the decision was a recognition that “we all have to do more” as Ukraine enters a critical phase in the war.
Rutte spoke about the potential assistance as Ukrainian troops arrived at Oklahoma’s Fort Sill Army base to begin training on operating and maintaining the Patriot missile defense system. The Patriot is the most advanced surface-to-air missile system the West has provided to Ukraine to help repel Russian aerial attacks.
Pentagon spokesman Air Force Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder said that training will last for several months, and train 90 to 100 Ukrainian troops on how to use the Patriot missile system.
Biden also used Tuesday’s meeting to discuss U.S. efforts to further limit China’s access to advanced semiconductors through export restrictions.
The administration has been trying to get the Netherlands on the same page since the U.S. Commerce Department announced in October new export controls aimed at China. The restrictions are intended to limit China’s ability to access advanced computing chips, develop and maintain supercomputers, and make advanced semiconductors.
“Together we’re working on how to keep a free and open Indo Pacific, and quite frankly the challenges of China,” Biden said at the start of the meeting.
Administration officials have reasoned that the export restrictions are necessary because China can use semiconductors to create advanced military systems including weapons of mass destruction; commit human rights abuses; and improve the speed and accuracy of its military decision making, planning and logistics.
The Netherlands-based tech giant ASML is a major manufacturer of lithography machines that design and produce semiconductors. China is one of ASML’s biggest clients.
CEO Peter Wennink played down the impact of the U.S. export control regulations soon after the administration unveiled them last fall. ASML said last year that it expected company-wide 2022 sales to be around 21 billion euros.
The U.S. has also been in talks with Japan on tougher export restrictions to limit the sale of semiconductor manufacturing technology to China. Rutte’s visit comes after Biden hosted Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida last week for talks.
The U.S. and Japan, in a joint statement following meeting, said the two sides agreed to “sharpen our shared edge on economic security, including protection and promotion of critical and emerging technologies.”
China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin last week called on Japan and the Netherlands to resist U.S. pressure.
“We hope the relevant countries will do the right thing and work together to uphold the multilateral trade regime and safeguard the stability of the global industrial and supply chains,” he said. “This will also serve to protect their own long-term interests.”
Biden praised Netherlands as one of the United States “strongest” allies, and one that’s proven “very, very stalwart” in its support for Ukraine since Russia launched in its invasion in February. The Netherlands has committed about $2.7 billion (2.5 billion euros) in support for Ukraine this year. The money will be spent on military equipment, humanitarian and diplomatic efforts.
The Netherlands providing Ukraine with Patriot assistance — whether the weapons systems, missiles or training — would be a major move for the NATO ally.
The training of Ukraine forces now underway in Oklahoma is to focus, in part, on how to maintain the battery that will be sent by the U.S. to Ukraine once training is complete. Each system has multiple components, including a phased array radar, a control station, computers and generators, and typically requires about 90 soldiers to operate and maintain, however only three soldiers are needed to actually fire it, according to the Army.
Some of the ongoing maintenance support, once the Patriot is on the battlefield, will be done remotely, Ryder said.
The Dutch prime minister, for his part, praised Biden for leading the international effort to back Ukraine.
“I am convinced history will judge in 2022 if the United States had not stepped up like you did things would have been very different,” Rutte said.
___
Corder reported from The Hague, Netherlands. Associated Press writers Lynn Berry, Tara Copp and Colleen Long contributed reporting.
Referee for Argentina vs. Netherlands World Cup Match Sent Home
Following his controversial decisions in the heated Argentina vs. Netherlands match for the Qatar World Cup quarterfinals, Spanish referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz has reportedly been released from the tournament while the game’s VAR officials will still be given the option to participate in future competitions.
The game which has been coined the “Battle of Lusail,” ended 2-2 in extra time and was ultimately decided in a penalty shootout which Argentina ultimately claimed the victory (4-3). During the match, the La Liga referee issued a record of 18 yellow cards and one red.
At one point in the game, midfielder Leandro Paredes kicked the ball into the Netherlands bench with Dutch captain Virgil van Dijk responding by bumping him into the ground, resulting in multiple bookings as the game seemed to spiral out of control. By the end of the competition, two of Argentina’s coaching staff were given cards and three players were booked during the penalty shootouts.
In a post-match interview, Argentina captain Lionel Messi expressed his frustration and asked FIFA to look into the issue.
“I don’t want to speak about referees because they will sanction you. But people saw what happened. I think FIFA must take care of this. It cannot put a referee like that for a match of such magnitude, of such importance. The referee cannot fail to be up to the task,” he said.
FIFA has also announced that Argentine referees Fernando Rapallani and Facundo Tello will not be given any more matches for the rest of the tournament due to a conflict of interest as Argentina advances to the semis.
Elsewhere in sports, adidas unveils the “Al Hilm” Qatar World Cup Finals ball.
How Argentina vs Netherlands descended into chaos – taunts, tantrums and tears
There was a game of football amid the mayhem of a World Cup quarter-final between Argentina and the Netherlands that had it all. If feisty is your thing, then this was the match for you.
Seventeen yellow cards, two of them to coaches, a red card after the final whistle, an all-in melee, and somehow Argentina’s hero Emiliano Martinez avoided a caution of any kind. If he does get punished for his post-match comments about referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz remains to be seen.
The actual football will be remembered for an assist for the ages from Lionel Messi and a brilliant Dutch comeback that was inspired by Wout Weghorst, the 6ft 6in (197cm) striker who flopped in the Premier League at relegation-bound Burnley last season.
But you’ve not got this far to read about that…
The first flare-ups
A sign of things to come came two minutes before half-time when Lahoz booked four players, including Weghorst, at the time a substitute yet to enter the action, and Argentina assistant coach Walter Samuel, no stranger to a yellow in his days as a no-nonsense defender. Marcos Acuna’s booking for fouling Jurrien Timber will cost him a place in Tuesday’s semi-final against Croatia.
But that was only a precursor to things to come. Ten minutes into the second half, Messi was penalised for the most deliberate of handballs but somehow avoided a caution, something Netherlands captain Virgil van Dijk was quick to query with Lahoz.
(Photo: Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
Dutch goalkeeper Andries Noppert showed he wasn’t afraid to indulge in the trash talk as Messi prepare to take his second-half penalty.
Messi ignored that and doubled the lead but that only ramped up the tensions — as team-mate Martinez, no stranger to gamesmanship, went on the offensive.
The Argentina goalkeeper claimed a cross under pressure from Luuk de Jong before he stood over the striker and baited him. Those histrionics would come back to bite him before the end of normal time.
Tensions spill over
But it was the 89th minute when the simmering tensions really came to a boil.
Leandro Paredes was rightly booked for clattering Nathan Ake…
…but he wasn’t done. He sprung to his feet and hammered the ball into the Dutch dugout from close range. The defender hits the ball so hard that both of his feet were off the ground — fortunately for the Netherlands’ coaches and substitutes, his time-wasting clearance strikes an empty seat, rather than an opponent.
(Photo: Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
Dutch bench personnel emptied onto the pitch in reaction and a melee broke out, with Paredes lucky not to receive a second yellow and Van Dijk a similar fate after body-checking him to the ground in the aftermath. Steven Bergwijn, who had already been substituted, was booked for his part in the incident.
The fouls kept coming and Argentina were punished in the 11th minute of added time as Weghorst levelled from Teun Koopmeiners’ clever free kick.
Messi was booked for dissent, which should have meant a red card if he had not avoided punishment for that handball earlier, and the Argentina bench staff and players could not contain their anger at the final whistle. Angel Di Maria had to be held back from remonstrating with Lahoz while his manager Lionel Scaloni confronted the Spanish referee face to face.
(Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
(Photo: Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
Penalty shootout chaos
A semblance of calm descended during the 30 minutes of extra time before the penalty shootout became a free for all — with Martinez again front and centre with his antics.
He saved the first two Netherlands penalties, but they were a sideshow compared to his mind games.
Having kept out Van Dijk’s opening spot kick to give Argentina an instant advantage, he walked towards the second Dutch taker, Steven Berghuis, before lobbing the ball off to the side to delay the Ajax midfielder.
He is told off by Lahoz, but not booked.
The goalkeeper then came out on top again by saving Berghuis’ shot to leave the Netherlands up against it.
Spurred on by that and his side’s two successes from 12 yards, Martinez then tries to get in the head of Koopmeiners, who took the third Dutch penalty.
The 24-year-old ignores him and finally gets Louis van Gaal’s team on the board in the shootout but Martinez continues to push his luck when fourth taker Weghorst steps up with some delaying tactics by his left post.
Again Mahoz speaks to him, but again there is no card for the Aston Villa man.
Clearly rattled, Denzel Dumfries attempts to get back at Argentina with some mind games of his own but is accosted by Di Maria.
Yet despite all of Martinez’s mayhem, Lahoz now books Dumfries.
This all proves to be the warm-up act for what follows Lautaro Martinez converting the winning penalty as the victors get in the faces of the Dutch and goad them.
(Photo: Stefan Matzke – sampics/Corbis via Getty Images)
And it is all too much for Dumfries, who is shown a second yellow in the ensuing chaos.
Even Messi could not help but become embroiled in it. Apparently irked by the Netherlands coaching staff, the Argentina captain has a clear disagreement with head coach Van Gaal and assistant Edgar Davids.
Messi and Davids clash
For those watching from home, it was easy to miss that, after scoring his second-half penalty, Messi celebrated with his team-mates before walking on his own to the dugouts’ side of the pitch.
There, and in full view of the Netherlands coaching staff, he did this:
Messi’s second-half celebration (Photo: Getty Images)
Which doesn’t seem so inflammatory until you see it from the opposite angle…
pic.twitter.com/P1yIkinPfQ
— Javier Mascherano (@Mascherano) December 9, 2022
The pose — with both hands held around his ears — bears a remarkable similarity to former Argentina forward Juan Roman Riquelme’s trademark goal celebration, a fact not lost on Argentine fans who quickly began speculating as to the reason why Messi had adopted it.
Riquelme celebrating a goal for Barcelona in 2002 (Photo: Getty Images)
Messi did not elaborate on the reasons why after the match. But Riquelme’s short-lived Barcelona spell was effectively ended by Van Gaal in his 2002-03 debut season, starting him only six times in La Liga before he was sent to Villarreal on a two-year loan the next summer following the signing of Brazil international Ronaldinho. Messi was a Barcelona youngster by then and will have seen how his countryman was treated.
After Lautaro’s match-winning penalty, as Argentina players continued their celebrations and Dutch players began to peel themselves off the turf they had fallen to in dismay, Messi calmly walked in the direction of the Netherlands coaching staff.
Television cameras caught Messi making a beeline for Davids, while pointing towards the tunnel and moving his thumb and fingers together in a ‘talking’ motion.
Davids — another who was a Barcelona player in Messi’s youth-team days — then placed a hand on the Argentina captain’s back, as the three engaged in an apparently heated conversation. Di Maria then led his skipper away, towards the tunnel.
Messi later told Mexican television network DeporTV: “I was angry because a coach like Van Gaal is, with the experience he has… That he talks the way he spoke, that he lacks respect.
“It didn’t have to be like that, it didn’t make sense. I feel like he had disrespected the Argentine national team.”
Messi and Martinez take aim at FIFA
Not content with picking a fight with the Netherlands, Messi and Martinez next turned their attention to referee Lahoz.
Messi was up first, interviewed on the pitch by FIFA.
“It’s very frustrating, very frustrating. (The match) didn’t have to end that way,” he said.
“I do not want to talk about the referee, because you’ll (himself) be punished. You cannot be honest. You can’t say what you’re thinking. If you do, they’ll sanction you for a match.”
Messi then proceeded to… say exactly what he thought about the referee anyway:
“We were scared before the game because we knew what this was. I think FIFA must think about it, they cannot put a referee like that for these important games, for such a pivotal game — a referee who isn’t up to the task.”
Martinez went even further when he was interviewed by beIN Sports a few moments later. “The referee was giving everything to them. He gave 10 minutes (of second-half stoppage time) for no reason,” he said.
“He gave a free kick outside the box to them two or three times. He just wanted them to score, that’s basically it. So hopefully we don’t have that referee anymore, because he’s useless.”
🗣️ “Hopefully we don’t have that ref anymore… He’s useless! Van Gaal said they have an advantage if it goes to penalties, he needs to keep his mouth shut.”
👀 @emimartinezz1 didn’t hold back in his post-match interview!
🎤 @aarransummers#FIFAWorldCup #Qatar2022 #ARG pic.twitter.com/kkqJx2JxSL
— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS_EN) December 9, 2022
FIFA’s disciplinary code forbids players from calling the integrity of match officials into question.
The Athletic has contacted FIFA for comment.
Messi’s media round continues
The next incident came when Messi was shepherded over to Argentine sports channel TyC Sports. The interview began but Messi cut short one question by becoming involved in another altercation.
“What are you looking at, fool?,” he says to somebody behind the camera. “Go on that way, fool. Go away.”
QUÉ MIRÁS BOBO
ANDÁ PA ALLÁ BOBO pic.twitter.com/s2D1lbOhj5— DjMaRiiO (@DjMaRiiO) December 9, 2022
It’s unclear exactly who Messi was talking to. But given the numerous on and off-pitch incidents before, during and after the game, there is no shortage of contenders.
(Photo: Elsa/Getty Images)
Argentina reaches Qatar 2022 semifinals with penalty shootout win over Netherlands in World Cup thriller
CNN
—
The hopes of Argentina and Lionel Messi winning the World Cup remain very much alive after a nerve-shredding penalty shootout victory over the Netherlands in a thrilling match at Qatar 2022.
Leading 2-0 with just eight minutes remaining thanks to goals from Nahuel Molina and Messi, the Netherlands staged a stunning comeback as a Wout Weghorst’s brace ensured the game went to extra time.
With neither side able to find the winner in those extra 30 minutes, the match was decided on penalties and Argentina goalkeeper Emi Martinez made himself the hero for La Albiceleste, saving two Dutch spot kicks.
Martinez has made a name for himself as an expert in penalty shootouts, saving three in Argentina’s Copa America semifinal against Colombia last year, and further cemented his place as an Argentine hero in Qatar.
After Enzo Fernandez missed the first penalty that would have given Argentina victory, Lautaro Martinez stepped up and hammered home the winning spot kick to send the thousands of Argentine fans inside the Lusail Stadium into delirium.
Argentina’s players remained out on the pitch long after the shootout was over, taking in the adulation of their adoring fans who will no doubt be celebrating long into the night in Qatar.
It was another remarkable ending to a match at this World Cup, which has seen all manner of shocks and comebacks, though this one perhaps exceeded them all.
Spanish referee Mateu Lahoz, known for his eccentricity and enjoyment of the limelight, certainly added to the drama, dishing out an numerous yellow cards, including one in the shootout, as he struggled to keep control of the game.
There were no less than three mass brawls throughout the 120 minutes and penalties, the first one sparked by Leandro Paredes smashing a ball straight into the Netherlands dugout at the side of the pitch.
It became difficult to keep a track of which players were being disciplined by Lahoz but according to FIFA, 18 yellow cards (two for Dumfries) and one red card were brandished during the quarterfinal.
This match will undoubtedly go down as an all-time World Cup classic, but Argentina will quickly need to bring itself down back to earth ahead of the semifinal against knockout specialist Croatia.
Millions of Argentines have dreamed of the day Messi emulates the late Diego Maradona and lifts the World Cup. That day is now one step closer.
The 35-year-old Messi has done everything within his powers to ensure Argentina had the best chance possible to win a first World Cup title since 1986.
There have been fleeting moments of the Messi magic football fans have grown accustomed to seeing over the years, most notably his wonderful touch and finish against Mexico in the group stages that gave Argentina a crucial breakthrough after the shock defeat by Saudi Arabia.
Few fans would have placed Argentina among the favorites ahead of the tournament, but with Messi in the team’s ranks anything is possible, at any time.
Under head coach Lionel Scaloni, a former Argentine international, the team is in a better place than it has been for some quite some time and in 2021 won the Copa America, the national team’s first major trophy since 1993 and Messi’s first in the famous blue and white shirt.
However, Argentina was yet to put together a convincing 90 minutes in Qatar and defensive frailties that has hindered it in recent years undoubtedly remain.
The Dutch, meanwhile, failed to impress in the group stages but were greatly improved in the 3-1 round of 16 win over the the United States Men’s National Team and Memphis Depay’s opener in that game, a patient, probing team move, is without question one of the best goals of the tournament so far.
This was the sixth World Cup meeting between these two teams and this fixture has provided plenty of history over the years. From a Mario Kempes-inspired victory in the 1978 final to Dennis Bergkamp’s stunning goal in the 1998 quarterfinals, this rivalry was ready for another player to write their name in soccer folklore.
The opening 35 minutes were predictably cagey, with neither side willing to take much of a risk while in possession.
But, unsurprisingly, it was Messi that unlocked a stubborn Dutch defense with a ludicrous, almost impossible, moment of genius.
Running towards the left-hand side of the penalty area, the Argentina captain played an absurd reverse pass perfectly into the path of Molina, who took one touch and poked the ball past Andries Noppert.
Replays showed Messi didn’t once look up to see Molina’s run; how he saw the pass, let alone played it, only he will know. Just when you think you’ve seen it all in his 18-year career, Messi still finds a way to leave mouths agape.
When Messi stepped up to make it 2-0 from the penalty spot after 75 minutes, it looked like game over. However, if there’s one thing the World Cup in Qatar has shown, it’s that these matches are never over until the referee blows for full time.
Having offered so little for more than 80 minutes, the Netherlands opted to hammer long ball after long ball towards the Argentina penalty area, aiming for the 6 feet 6 inch substitute Weghorst and Virgil Van Dijk.
It paid off spectacularly, as Weghorst headed home brilliantly from Steven Berghuis’ delivery with just under eight minutes left to play.
That goal set up a grandstand finish, which included the first of three mass brawls.
With almost the very last action of the game, the Netherlands were awarded a free kick just outside the penalty area.
It looked as though either Cody Gakpo or Teun Koopmeiners were going to take a shot at goal, but the latter played an ingenious pass into Weghorst, who turned his defender and slotted the ball past Martinez.
That goal sparked wild scenes as the entire Netherlands bench emptied to celebrate by the corner flag, silencing the thousands of Argentina fans that had been so boisterous throughout the game.
It was an almost inconceivable turn of events with Weghorst, who struggled to make an impact at Burnley and is currently loaned out to Besiktas, temporarily putting a halt to Messi’s seemingly inevitable march towards a World Cup title.
However, Messi and Argentina were not to be denied and held their cool from the spot to bring to a close an incredible evening of football.
There were further sour scenes that followed, though, as some of the Argentina team celebrated in the faces of the distraught Dutch players once Martinez had scored the winning penalty, caused tempers to flare once again.
Messi is now tantalizingly close to lifting his first World Cup and it will take something special to stop an incredible player who seems hellbent on lifting the trophy he craves the most.
Argentina withstands late Netherlands rally, wins penalty shootout in wild World Cup quarterfinal
LUSAIL, Qatar — Lionel Messi and Argentina survived one of the wildest games of the 2022 World Cup in a penalty shootout. Emi Martinez sprung to his right, then to his left, for majestic saves. Messi converted to give Argentina the shootout lead, and from there, unlike in regulation, the Argentines never looked back.
They blew a 2-0 advantage in the final 20 minutes of regulation. The Netherlands conjured a master set piece goal in the 11th minute of second-half stoppage time to send the game to extra time, and eventually penalties.
From the spot, Argentina began with perfection. It led 2-0 and 3-1. It threatened to blow yet another lead when Enzo Fernandez pulled his attempt wide. But Lautaro Martinez converted in the clutch. Emi Martinez, the heroic goalkeeper, fell to the ground in relief. Messi was lifted into the air by teammates.
But before the penalty shootout, for over an hour, the story of Friday’s game was a Messi pass. It was his 34th-minute ascent to another planet. He glanced up and saw six orange jerseys impeding him. So he toggled to a bird’s-eye view. He peered down from on high and picked out an extraterrestrial ball, through four Dutchmen and onto the foot of a teammate, for a 1-0 lead.
He later converted a 73rd-minute penalty. He darted toward his adoring fans and spread his arms as his teammates spilled onto the field. He, and they, were up 2-0 and cruising into the semis.
But then disaster struck. The Dutch threw on Weghorst, and began pumping long balls into his feet and chest and onto his head. It became clear rather quickly that Argentina couldn’t cope.
Weghorst scored the first with a trademark header. Argentina, suddenly, was barely hanging on.
The game became an utter mess, replete with yellow cards and ruckuses. Much of the madness was by Argentina’s design. And until the final minute of stoppage time, it was helping.
The stroke of Dutch genius that nearly ended Messi’s World Cup career started at a standstill. It was the 101st minute of an increasingly frantic quarterfinal here at the Lusail Stadium, shortly after a controversial foul. Argentina had a 2-1 lead and one foot in the semis, but the Netherlands had a dangerous free kick that they absolutely had to score. And they did, just like Argentina had earlier, with a pass that not a soul saw coming.
The undoing began with an overzealous barge by Germán Pezzella into the back of Weghorst. It was Holland’s second free kick in such a position, just wide of center, 25 yards out. The Dutch had smashed the first into the wall. All of Argentina readied for a similar attempt. And Teun Koopmeiners seemed to step to the ball to do exactly that.
But instead, he slotted a brilliant pass to Weghorst, and executed a play that the Dutch had cooked up on the training ground.
It was eerily similar to a play that Argentina had used against England to earn a 2-2 tie (and eventually win on penalties) at the 1998 World Cup.
It was also remarkably similar to one that Weghorst had finished off for his then-club team, Wolfsburg, two years ago.
It was a preconceived answer to Messi’s genius, the collective brilliance to match his individual brilliance. Only the Netherlands couldn’t carry that same energy into extra time and after both teams went scoreless in the added 30 minutes it was time for Emi Martinez to do his thing.
La Albiceleste will play Croatia on Tuesday. And their fans are overjoyed by that. Around 8:40 p.m. here, with 80 minutes until kickoff, many gathered around phones and media-tribune monitors to watch their archrivals, Brazil, duel Croatia from the penalty spot. When Marquinhos struck the post and Brazil lost, the blue-and-white-clad acolytes erupted. Hundreds, perhaps thousands who’d already gathered behind one goal soon broke into song. The path was clear.
Outside the Lusail Stadium, TV reporters went live to Argentina in shock: “Brasil está fuera de Copa del Mundo.” Brazil is out of the World Cup.
They’ll conclude the night by saying: Argentina is very much alive and two steps from Messi’s elusive glory.
Argentina vs. Netherlands score: World Cup live updates, FIFA World Cup 2022 quarterfinal heads to penalties
It’s going to take more than 120 minutes to decide a winner between Argentina and the Netherlands as the two sides head to penalties. An improbable two goal comeback from the Dutch forced extra time and now the match will be decided from the spot. A goal and an assist from Lionel Messi put the Argentinian favorites well in control heading into the last ten minutes. Then Wout Weghorst happened. The substitute striker scored in the 83rd minute and then again after more than ten minutes of stoppage time off of a cleverly worked set piece in order to force extra time. And now penalty kicks will decide who meets Croatia in the semifinals.
require.config({"baseUrl":"https://sportsfly.cbsistatic.com/fly-0371/bundles/sportsmediajs/js-build","config":{"version":{"fly/components/accordion":"1.0","fly/components/alert":"1.0","fly/components/base":"1.0","fly/components/carousel":"1.0","fly/components/dropdown":"1.0","fly/components/fixate":"1.0","fly/components/form-validate":"1.0","fly/components/image-gallery":"1.0","fly/components/iframe-messenger":"1.0","fly/components/load-more":"1.0","fly/components/load-more-article":"1.0","fly/components/load-more-scroll":"1.0","fly/components/loading":"1.0","fly/components/modal":"1.0","fly/components/modal-iframe":"1.0","fly/components/network-bar":"1.0","fly/components/poll":"1.0","fly/components/search-player":"1.0","fly/components/social-button":"1.0","fly/components/social-counts":"1.0","fly/components/social-links":"1.0","fly/components/tabs":"1.0","fly/components/video":"1.0","fly/libs/easy-xdm":"2.4.17.1","fly/libs/jquery.cookie":"1.2","fly/libs/jquery.throttle-debounce":"1.1","fly/libs/jquery.widget":"1.9.2","fly/libs/omniture.s-code":"1.0","fly/utils/jquery-mobile-init":"1.0","fly/libs/jquery.mobile":"1.3.2","fly/libs/backbone":"1.0.0","fly/libs/underscore":"1.5.1","fly/libs/jquery.easing":"1.3","fly/managers/ad":"2.0","fly/managers/components":"1.0","fly/managers/cookie":"1.0","fly/managers/debug":"1.0","fly/managers/geo":"1.0","fly/managers/gpt":"4.3","fly/managers/history":"2.0","fly/managers/madison":"1.0","fly/managers/social-authentication":"1.0","fly/utils/data-prefix":"1.0","fly/utils/data-selector":"1.0","fly/utils/function-natives":"1.0","fly/utils/guid":"1.0","fly/utils/log":"1.0","fly/utils/object-helper":"1.0","fly/utils/string-helper":"1.0","fly/utils/string-vars":"1.0","fly/utils/url-helper":"1.0","libs/jshashtable":"2.1","libs/select2":"3.5.1","libs/jsonp":"2.4.0","libs/jquery/mobile":"1.4.5","libs/modernizr.custom":"2.6.2","libs/velocity":"1.2.2","libs/dataTables":"1.10.6","libs/dataTables.fixedColumns":"3.0.4","libs/dataTables.fixedHeader":"2.1.2","libs/dateformat":"1.0.3","libs/waypoints/infinite":"3.1.1","libs/waypoints/inview":"3.1.1","libs/waypoints/jquery.waypoints":"3.1.1","libs/waypoints/sticky":"3.1.1","libs/jquery/dotdotdot":"1.6.1","libs/jquery/flexslider":"2.1","libs/jquery/lazyload":"1.9.3","libs/jquery/maskedinput":"1.3.1","libs/jquery/marquee":"1.3.1","libs/jquery/numberformatter":"1.2.3","libs/jquery/placeholder":"0.2.4","libs/jquery/scrollbar":"0.1.6","libs/jquery/tablesorter":"2.0.5","libs/jquery/touchswipe":"1.6.18","libs/jquery/ui/jquery.ui.core":"1.11.4","libs/jquery/ui/jquery.ui.draggable":"1.11.4","libs/jquery/ui/jquery.ui.mouse":"1.11.4","libs/jquery/ui/jquery.ui.position":"1.11.4","libs/jquery/ui/jquery.ui.slider":"1.11.4","libs/jquery/ui/jquery.ui.sortable":"1.11.4","libs/jquery/ui/jquery.ui.touch-punch":"0.2.3","libs/jquery/ui/jquery.ui.autocomplete":"1.11.4","libs/jquery/ui/jquery.ui.accordion":"1.11.4","libs/jquery/ui/jquery.ui.tabs":"1.11.4","libs/jquery/ui/jquery.ui.menu":"1.11.4","libs/jquery/ui/jquery.ui.dialog":"1.11.4","libs/jquery/ui/jquery.ui.resizable":"1.11.4","libs/jquery/ui/jquery.ui.button":"1.11.4","libs/jquery/ui/jquery.ui.tooltip":"1.11.4","libs/jquery/ui/jquery.ui.effects":"1.11.4","libs/jquery/ui/jquery.ui.datepicker":"1.11.4"}},"shim":{"liveconnection/managers/connection":{"deps":["liveconnection/libs/sockjs-0.3.4"]},"liveconnection/libs/sockjs-0.3.4":{"exports":"SockJS"},"libs/setValueFromArray":{"exports":"set"},"libs/getValueFromArray":{"exports":"get"},"fly/libs/jquery.mobile-1.3.2":["version!fly/utils/jquery-mobile-init"],"libs/backbone.marionette":{"deps":["jquery","version!fly/libs/underscore","version!fly/libs/backbone"],"exports":"Marionette"},"fly/libs/underscore-1.5.1":{"exports":"_"},"fly/libs/backbone-1.0.0":{"deps":["version!fly/libs/underscore","jquery"],"exports":"Backbone"},"libs/jquery/ui/jquery.ui.tabs-1.11.4":["jquery","version!libs/jquery/ui/jquery.ui.core","version!fly/libs/jquery.widget"],"libs/jquery/flexslider-2.1":["jquery"],"libs/dataTables.fixedColumns-3.0.4":["jquery","version!libs/dataTables"],"libs/dataTables.fixedHeader-2.1.2":["jquery","version!libs/dataTables"],"https://sports.cbsimg.net/js/CBSi/app/VideoPlayer/AdobePass-min.js":["https://sports.cbsimg.net/js/CBSi/util/Utils-min.js"]},"map":{"*":{"adobe-pass":"https://sports.cbsimg.net/js/CBSi/app/VideoPlayer/AdobePass-min.js","facebook":"https://connect.facebook.net/en_US/sdk.js","facebook-debug":"https://connect.facebook.net/en_US/all/debug.js","google":"https://apis.google.com/js/plusone.js","google-platform":"https://apis.google.com/js/client:platform.js","google-csa":"https://www.google.com/adsense/search/async-ads.js","google-javascript-api":"https://www.google.com/jsapi","google-client-api":"https://apis.google.com/js/api:client.js","gpt":"https://securepubads.g.doubleclick.net/tag/js/gpt.js","hlsjs":"https://cdnjs.cloudflare.com/ajax/libs/hls.js/1.0.7/hls.js","recaptcha":"https://www.google.com/recaptcha/api.js?onload=loadRecaptcha&render=explicit","recaptcha_ajax":"https://www.google.com/recaptcha/api/js/recaptcha_ajax.js","supreme-golf":"https://sgapps-staging.supremegolf.com/search/assets/js/bundle.js","taboola":"https://cdn.taboola.com/libtrc/cbsinteractive-cbssports/loader.js","twitter":"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js","video-avia":"https://vidtech.cbsinteractive.com/avia-js/2.4.0/player/avia.min.js","video-avia-ui":"https://vidtech.cbsinteractive.com/avia-js/2.4.0/plugins/ui/avia.ui.min.js","video-avia-gam":"https://vidtech.cbsinteractive.com/avia-js/2.4.0/plugins/gam/avia.gam.min.js","video-avia-hls":"https://vidtech.cbsinteractive.com/avia-js/2.4.0/plugins/hls/avia.hls.min.js","video-avia-playlist":"https://vidtech.cbsinteractive.com/avia-js/2.4.0/plugins/playlist/avia.playlist.min.js","video-ima3":"https://imasdk.googleapis.com/js/sdkloader/ima3.js","video-ima3-dai":"https://imasdk.googleapis.com/js/sdkloader/ima3_dai.js","video-utils":"https://sports.cbsimg.net/js/CBSi/util/Utils-min.js","video-vast-tracking":"https://vidtech.cbsinteractive.com/sb55/vast-js/vtg-vast-client.js"}},"waitSeconds":300});