Lusail (Qatar)

Argentina marched into the semifinals of the ongoing FIFA World Cup in Qatar, defeating the Netherlands 4-3 via penalties after playing a thrilling 2-2 stalemate that got extended to extra time at Lusail Stadium on Saturday.

In the opening 10 minutes of the match, the Dutch enjoyed the bulk of ball possession. There was only one attempt from both sides and it came from two-time champions Argentina, but it was not on target.

In the first 30 minutes, the Dutch enjoyed around 60 per cent of ball possession and there were no shots on target.

At the end of half-time, the scoreline read 1-0 in favour of Argentina, who enjoyed only 42 per cent of ball possession as compared to 58 per cent by the Dutch. Both teams were given two yellow cards each. Argentina had hit three shots on target while the Netherlands managed none.

The early minutes of the second half saw the Netherlands still getting to enjoy a huge amount of time with the ball, but they could not put it to the net. They had also made substitutes, as Teun Koopmeiners and Steven Berghuis were on for Marten de Roon and Steven Bergwijn.

Argentina won a penalty in the 71st minute after Dumfries fouled Marcos Acuna in Netherlands' box. Messi took the penalty in the 73rd minute and scored a goal to bring up his 10th World Cup goal, drawing level with former Argentina star Gabriel Batistuta to become the joint-highest scorer for Argentina in the marquee football event.

The Netherlands brought themselves in the game in the 83rd minute, with Wout Weghorst scoring a goal after a tremendous header, well away from goalkeeper Martinez's reach.

The scoreline read 2-1 in favour of Argentina but they were headed towards some final nervy moments in the match as the possibility of an equalizer loomed large over them.

10 minutes of stoppage time was added at the end of 90 minutes.

In the 100th minute of the match, the Netherlands got a free kick, right on the edge of the box. Weghorst sent the game into extra time with a goal from the free kick. The scoreline was even at 2-2.

The first half of the extra time did not yield any goal, but was filled with some highly intense action from both the sides, desperate to take the lead.

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Argentina finally won on penalties 4-3 to set-up a semifinal clash with Croatia.