They were so close from winning vs Argentina.Argentina vs the Netherlands in the 2022 World Cup was one of the most dramatic quarter-finals of the tournament. Played on 9 December 2022 at Lusail Stadium in Qatar, the match had everything: brilliant football, late goals, arguments, yellow cards, extra time and a penalty shootout. Argentina eventually won 4–3 on penalties after the game finished 2–2, but one of the biggest stories was Wout Weghorst, who completely changed the game after coming off the bench. Argentina started with confidence, while the Netherlands stayed organised. The breakthrough came in the 35th minute. Lionel Messi received the ball and produced a brilliant pass into the Netherlands defence, finding Nahuel Molina. Molina finished the chance and gave Argentina a 1–0 lead. Argentina continued to control important parts of the game, and Messi was again involved when Argentina won a penalty. Marcos Acuna was brought down inside the area, and Messi stepped up. He calmly sent the goalkeeper the wrong way and made it 2–0. Argentina looked to be heading comfortably into the semi-finals. The Netherlands, however, were not finished. Louis van Gaal introduced Wout Weghorst in the 78th minute. In the 83rd minute, Berghuis delivered a cross into the box and Weghorst rose to head the ball into the net. Argentina still had the lead, but the game had completely changed. Then came one of the most famous moments of the match. Deep into stoppage time, the Netherlands won a free-kick just outside the Argentine penalty area. Instead of taking a normal shot, they used a clever set-piece routine. Koopmeiners passed the ball along the ground through the Argentine defence, where Weghorst controlled it before calmly finishing past Emiliano Martinez. It was 2–2. Weghorst had scored twice after coming on as a substitute, and the Netherlands had somehow dragged the game into extra time. The match went into extra time, but neither team could find a winner. Argentina came close, including a shot that struck the post, before the Netherlands forced a penalty shootout. The shootout became another huge chapter. Emiliano Martinez immediately put Argentina in a strong position by saving the Netherlands' first penalty from Virgil van Dijk. He then saved Steven Berghuis' attempt as well. Argentina converted enough of their penalties, while Lautaro Martinez scored the decisive kick. Argentina won the shootout 4–3 and advanced to the semi-finals against Croatia. For Weghorst, the ending was painful, but his performance became one of the defining memories of the match. He had entered the game in the 78th minute with his team 2–0 down, scored in the 83rd minute, and then scored the equaliser in stoppage time. He had turned a match that seemed almost over into a completely different game. FIFA also recorded that Weghorst scored his penalty in the shootout, meaning he personally converted every penalty he took that night. The match also produced 15 yellow cards, making it the most card-heavy World Cup match at the time. Argentina ultimately survived and continued their World Cup journey. They defeated Croatia in the semi-final and later went on to win the World Cup after beating France in the final. Argentina vs the Netherlands will always be remembered for Messi's brilliant assist, his penalty, Molina's opening goal, Weghorst's incredible late comeback, the unusual free-kick routine, Emiliano Martinez's penalty saves and the dramatic shootout. It showed how quickly football can change: Argentina were leading 2–0, but Weghorst's two goals gave the Netherlands another chance. Weghorst's night became unforgettable because his goals arrived when the Netherlands were closest to elimination. His first gave them belief, and his second forced Argentina into another 30 minutes. Even in defeat, his impact made him one of the defining figures of the quarter-final.#netherland #weghorst #vandijk #worldcup2022 - @nexoredits0