Lautaro Martinez scored the final penalty shootout and led Argentina to a 4-3 victory over the Netherlands after the end of the regular and extra time of the match with a 2-2 draw, and Argentina set up a date with Croatia in the semi-finals of the 2022 World Cup.
Messi scored a goal and granted an assist, to enhance his chances of competing for the World Cup title absent from his coffers, and the first for his country since 1986.
And at the Education City Stadium, the Argentine national team entered the match with the intention of achieving progress early, and tried to threaten the Dutch national team's goal through repeated attempts, but it did not succeed in reaching the net.
A wonderful pass from Messi, which Molina deflects into the net
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In the 35th minute, Messi, 35, penetrated deep into the Netherlands' defense and provided a magical pass to Molina to score from close range and ignite the enthusiasm of the Argentine fans present strongly at Lusail Stadium.
Messi raised his score to 5 assists in the World Cup elimination rounds, surpassing the record holder, Brazilian Pele, who has 4 assists.
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In the second half, Messi scored the second goal for Argentina from a penalty kick, which is the 10th goal in his participation in the World Cup, equaling the number of previous top scorer Gabriel Batistuta.
Lionel Messi signs the second goal for Argentina
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And 7 minutes before the end of the regular time of the match, Vout Fijkhorst scored the first goal for the Netherlands.
Vaught Fijkhorst reduces the score for the Netherlands
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And everyone believed that Argentina had won, but Fijkhorst came back and scored the second goal for the Netherlands in the last moments, after a free kick that was executed in a clever way that missed the Argentine defense.
The two teams ruled a penalty shootout after the tie continued in the two overtime periods, and Argentine goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez saved Virgil van Dyck's first kick and another by Stephen Berghaus, giving his country the opportunity to continue competing for the World Cup crown.
Argentina will meet Croatia, who knocked out Brazil on penalties, in the semi-final match next Thursday.