Argentina survived a remarkable Netherlands comeback to finally triumph on penalties in a drama-choked World Cup quarter-final in Lusail.
The game tied at 2-2 after a riotous and ill-tempered game – Dutch substitute Wout Weghorst equalising in the 10th minutes of injury-time after a cleverly worked free-kick – the tie went all the way to penalties.
Goalkeeper Emi Martinez saved Netherlands opening two spot kicks, and while Enzo Fernandez drilled an effort wide with a chance to win it, Lautaro Martinez stepped over the fifth kick, coolly slotting home to send Argentina into the semis and the majority of the crowd into raptures.
In a scrappy half-hour of extra time with the scores level, Enzo Fernandez rattled the post in the closing seconds while Martinez and German Pezzella also had efforts blocked or parried away as Argentina desperately pushed for a winner.
The 30-year-old equalled Pele’s all-time scoring record of 77 for the Selecao, according to FIFA, when he broke the deadlock in the 105th minute of extra time.
