“He disrespected the Argentina national team,” Lionel Messi slams Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal’s pre-match comments after knocking them out of the 2022 FIFA World Cup
Follow Us
Lionel Messi and Louis van Gaal
Lionel Messi let out an expletive-laden outburst during a live television interview after Argentina’s victory over the Netherlands in the quarter-finals of the World Cup in Qatar. The nail-biting match resulted in a shootout, after the regulation time ended in a draw of 2-2. Spanish referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz had to show 15 yellow cards throughout the tense game.
Messi was instrumental in helping Argentina to victory. He was responsible for the first goal, setting up Nahuel Molina in the first half, and then converting a penalty kick after the break. They looked sure to take the win until Wout Weghorst came on as a substitute and scored twice to make it a close call.
In his pre-match interview, Messi said, “I was angry because a coach like Van Gaal, with the experience he has… For him to speak the way he did, to disrespect… It didn’t have to be like that, it didn’t make sense. I feel he disrespected the Argentina national team.”
Despite the debate that surrounded him, Lionel Messi was ecstatic to beat the Netherlands and maintain his hope of obtaining a World Cup title. The seven-time Ballon d’Or recipient has not yet come away with the coveted honor. Being 35 years old, Qatar 2022 is probably his final opportunity to do so.
Also Read: 2022 FIFA World Cup Quarterfinals France v England: Live Stream, Match Timings, and Preview
Argentina pulled off a dramatic victory against the Netherlands
On a thrilling night of World Cup action, Argentina advanced to the semi-finals by defeating the Netherlands 4-3 on penalty kicks following a 2-2 draw in extra time. Lionel Messi had put Argentina on the brink of the last four, but the South Americans let their two-goal advantage slip in the final minutes of regulation. To force extra-time, Wout Weghorst scored two late goals, including an inventive free-kick in the 110th minute of stoppage time. Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez was the hero in the shootout, sealing the victory for his team.
Argentina seemed poised to reach the semi-finals after Lionel Messi produced a spectacular assist for Nahuel Molina and scored a successful penalty kick. Following Brazil and Neymar’s departure after a penalty shootout against Croatia, Argentina is the only South American nation left in the tournament. The Lusail Stadium was a sea of blue and white as Argentina was overwhelmingly supported by a crowd of 88,235. Only a few orange shirts were scattered throughout, demonstrating the strong support for the South American team.
Stay Updated!
Ujan Chakraborty
(1240 Articles Published)