Netherlands vs Argentina FIFA World Cup 2022 Highlights: ARG beat NED on penalties after sensational Dutch fightback

Make no mistake, this was a football match that was low on quality but so high on drama and pressure that the technicalities simply don't matter. Or maybe they do matter, maybe everything mattered way too much in this match judging by the sight of the grown men and women bawling their eyes out in the pitch and in the stands out of either sheer happiness or despair, depending on which shirt they are wearing. Argentina were dominant for much of this match with Messi providing the first goal for with a #puregenius defence-splitting pass for Nahuel Molina and then scoring from the spot. But then Netherlands decided to throw the kitchen sink and that allowed Wout Weghorst to score one and then the most cheeky free kick you will ever see in World Cup football allowed him to score a last second equaliser. The two teams snoozed in the first half of extra time before Argentina came within a hair's width of finding the winner multiple times in the second half of extra time. Then, Emiliano Martinez made a couple of extraordinary saves but it looked Netherlands might make a comeback yet again but Lautaro Martinez ensured that his poor form does not leak into the shootout and took Argentina through. Phew! That's all we've got for you tonight. Good night, or good morning, depending on your perspective. 

Martinez smashes it in and runs off! His teammates stream in behind him. The Dutch cannot believe it, they are down on the ground, they are inconsolable. There also seems to be minor fights breaking out. Messi was the only one who had initially run towards Emi Martinez but now the rest of the Argentinians are climbing over him. Wow, how about that! Lautaro Martinez has been in dreadful form this World Cup but he scores that decisive penalty. Emiliano Martinez with some of the greatest penalty saves you will ever see at the start there. What a night this has been and at the end of it Argentina keep their World Cup dreams alive. 

NED 3-3 ARG. Now it's down to Lautaro Martinez

NED 2-3 ARG!

NED 2-3 ARG! Weghorst finds the target

NED 1-3 ARG! Montiel smashes it in

NED 1-2 ARG

NED 0-2 ARG. Smashes it in with aplomb. 

Netherlands 0-1 Argentina. This time diving full stretch to his left and Martinez dances!

Netherlands 0-1 Argentina. As cool asit comes, just rolls it down the middle. 

Netherlands 0-0 Argentina. Just a sensational save diving to his right by Martinez. Now its Messi

Virgil Van Dijk has the ball in his hands, Martinez in goal. Here we go!

Extra time is up, on to penalty shootout we go. Oh the drama. 

120 mins: The youngster smashes in a shot from 25 yards out, Noppert was nowhere near it and it smashes against the left bar and out. 

120 mins: From outside the box, low along the ground and it is deflected just wide for a corner. 

116 mins: Fernandez fizzes in a shot from outside the box after a corner kick routine. It is deflected off a Dutch foot just over the bar. Every minute feels like a thrill in this half. Argentina have found their feet again and are making an almighty push. Meanwhile, Netherlands take off Cody Gakpo for Noa Lang. 

114 mins: Ball squared in from the right by Di Maria, Lautaro Martinez's shot and it is just deflected wide! 

112 mins: Free kick from Gakpo, about 35 yards from goal just left of centre. He floats it invitingly to De Jong on the left who for a moment has only the goalkeeper between him and goal. But his shot is blocked and he is called for a foul for high foot while taking the follow-up shot. 

Lisandro Martinez taken off for Angel Di Maria by Argentina. Defender off for an out and out attacker. Di Maria had an injury which is why he is being brought only now. No doubt his primary reason for being there is his ability with penalties. 

109 mins: Messi wins a free kick on the right, plays a one-two from it and cuts inside before letting off a shot that goes over the bar. 

Allright then, is there one goal field goal left in this match? Netherlands, to be very honest, have looked quite uninterested in going for goal. 

Well this has been the antithesis to the last 20 mins of normal time. Almost no threat to either goal. This might be decided by penalties. 

Free kick for Argentina from the right, not quite suitable for a shot. Messi takes it, puts into the empty zone at the far post and the ball goes out tamely. 

96 mins: They are back to playing their passes but they are far more decisive now. Gakpo takes a shot that takes the roof of the net. Martinez had reached for it but pulled out at the last second. 

Goodness, gracious me, how is this game going to end now. Are Netherlands gong to continue lumping the ball into the box? Can Messi conjure one more piece of magic and can Argentina defend after that? Is this one really going into penalties? Yikes!