The drama in Argentina’s tense quarterfinal victory over the Netherlands continued after the ultimate whistle, as Lionel Messi and Emiliano Martinez took goal on the referee and Dutch boss Louis van Gaal.
La Albiceleste held a two-goal lead for 82 minutes earlier than Dutch substitute Wout Weghorst scored a late double, together with one deep in second half stoppage time, to take the sport to additional time.
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Neither facet might discover a winner within the following half-hour, however Argentina emerged victors in a penalty shootout as Martinez made two huge saves.
It was a fiery event between either side, with Argentinian midfielder fanning the flames when he booted the ball on the Dutch bench to spark an all-in brawl.
All up, there was a whopping 48 fouls and 16 yellow playing cards dished out to gamers by referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz, essentially the most in a single recreation in World Cup historical past.
That determine doesn’t embody yellow playing cards given to teaching workers – of which there have been a number of.
The Spaniard additionally handed Dutch defender Denzel Dumfries a second yellow card after the penalty shootout had concluded, sending him off.
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In a post-match interview, Messi fumed at Lahoz’s efficiency.
“I feel that FIFA can not use this referee for one of these match as a result of he isn’t as much as the duty,” Messi stated.
However, goalkeeper Martinez was much more scathing in his evaluate of Lahoz.
“The ref was giving the whole lot for them,” Martinez instructed beIN Sports.
“He gave them 10 minutes (stoppage time) for no purpose. He was giving free kicks outdoors the field for them two or 3 times.
“He simply wished them to attain, that’s principally it.
“Hopefully we don’t have that ref no extra, he’s ineffective.”
There was additionally some bitterness from the Argentinian pair in direction of Dutch boss Louis van Gaal.
After changing his penalty to place Argentina two targets forward, Messi celebrated proper in van Gaal’s course.
His Argentinian teammates additionally took nice delight as soon as Lautaro Martinez scored the profitable penalty, with many wanting straight at their Dutch adversaries.
The Argentinian gamers celebrated proper in entrance of the Dutch. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
After the sport, Messi appeared to slam a member of the Dutch camp in an interview: “What are you , idiot?”
A Swedish journalist reported the goal of his ire was Dutch striker Wout Weghorst, with Messi additionally reportedly telling his rival to “f*** off over there.”
Martinez additionally had some alternative phrases for van Gaal – each on the sector and in a following interview.
“Keep your mouth shut, f***ing t**t,” he yelled on the Dutch coach.
“I heard van Gaal saying, ‘We’ve received a bonus in penalties, if it goes to penalties, we win,’” Martinez stated.
“I feel he must preserve his mouth shut.”
Argentina now marches on to a semi-final in opposition to Croatia, who wish to make the World Cup closing for a second-straight event.
