The Netherlands and Argentina quarterfinal at the FIFA World Cup 2022 was an absolute slugfest. Both teams left everything on the field to get the desired result. In the end, it was the Albiceleste, who emerged victorious with a 4-3 win in a penalty shootout which had every bit of drama, action and emotion.
In a video that has been making the rounds of the internet, the Dutch team was seen distracting and taunting the Argentine players as they went to attempt their penalties. The clip depicts many Netherlands players were seen surrounding midfielder Enzo Fernandes, who missed the fourth Argentine penalty.
A similar scene appeared as Lautaro Martinez went for the final penalty. This could also be the reason why many Argentine players including Lionel Messi were mocking the Dutch players after the conclusion of the game.
Watch the video here:
After the match, Argentina coach Luis Scaloni praised Lionel Messi and his team for a gritty performance in the face of adversity. “The game was heated,” said Scaloni. “But this was a quarter-final. And what happens on the pitch stays on the pitch.”
Scaloni also talked about the distractions caused by the Dutch team during penalties and expressed that he was surprised by these measures. He said, “They played in a way I didn’t expect from them. But each team, each coach, decides how to play. I won’t speak about their football philosophy but in truth in the second half it was an ugly game. We had no chances and it was frequently interrupted but they are allowed to play how they wish.”
