Argentina defeated the Netherlands 4-3 in a penalty shootout after their World Cup quarterfinal ended 2-2 after 120 minutes. Goalkeeper Emi Martinez had previously saved penalties from Virgil van Dijk and Steven Berghuis.
Enzo Fernandez hit the post in the final seconds of the gritty extra time, while Martinez and German Pezzella also had shots blocked or parried away as Argentina urgently tried to score.
Before substitute Wout Weghorst’s header 10 minutes later, the Netherlands had barely troubled Argentina during the game. He then spurred them on and rolled the ball past goalkeeper Emi Martinez in stoppage time to force extra time.
After expertly threading a pass through the Dutch defense to bring up Nahuel Molina for Argentina’s first-half goal, captain Lionel Messi calmly converted a penalty after Denzel Dumfries fouled Marcos Acuna. In the semifinals, Croatia will play Argentina.
