Argentina advanced to the World Cup quarterfinals by defeating Netherlands on penalties in a very thrilling match.
Many people’s main concern with the World Cup has been whether or not Messi will be successful in winning it in his final attempt.On Friday night, he undoubtedly appeared to be the one to make the difference and advance them to the second semi.
The PSG forward may have given the best assist of the first half when, in the 35th minute, his through pass effectively eliminated six defenders to set up Nahuel Molina.
In the 73rd minute, Messi extended his team’s advantage by converting a penalty kick after Denzel Dumfries had fouled Marcos Acuna.
The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner was unable to be stopped, and Louis Van Gaal’s streak of never losing a World Cup knockout game in 90 minutes appeared to be coming to an end.
Since they played together in the Spanish La Liga, Lionel Messi and referee Mateu Lahoz have had a troubled relationship. The game between Argentina and the Netherlands in the quarterfinals was the official’s responsibility.
Lahoz equaled the 2006 World Cup record of 16 yellow cards received by Portugal and the Netherlands in just 120 minutes and one timeout. Lahoz was superior to everyone, but Messi believes Lahoz has an obsession with him. After triumphing in a thrilling penalty shootout, the captain was more focused on pursuing his old friend.
Leo Messi: “Who are you looking at? Go ahead you stupid.”pic.twitter.com/C8S1mpElwv
— All About Argentina 🛎🇦🇷 (@AlbicelesteTalk) December 9, 2022
Messi said the following with cameras in front of him immediately following the shootout: “A lot of joy and relief. We suffered far too much as a result of how everything progressed. Argentina play when we need to play, we run a lot when we don’t have the ball. We needed this joy. I don’t want to talk about the ref because you get punished after, but they can’t assign a referee who is not at this level. He is the World Cup’s worst ref, by far.
