Netherlands clashed heads with Argentina at the Lusail Iconic Stadium earlier today as they looked to cause an upset by picking up a win in the quarterfinal stages of the 2022 FIFA World Cup. The Dutch players made a slow start to the game and conceded the opening goal in the 35th minute when Nahuel Molina found the back of the net from close range. Lois van Gaal’s men went into the half-time break 1-0 down on the scoreline.
Lionel Messi scored Argentina’s second goal in the 73rd minute from the penalty spot. However, the Dutch players responded brilliantly by scoring in the 83rd minute courtesy of Wout Weghorst’s header. Weghorst struck again in injury time as he scored a dramatic equaliser which took the match to extra time.
Both sides fought tooth and nail in extra time but failed to register a goal as the match went to penalties. Netherlands ended up losing the contest on penalties by a narrow 4-3 margin.
Let’s take a look at how each Netherlands player fared during the match against Argentina.
GK: Andries Noppert – 6/10
He made some decent saves during the game but failed to make a save in the shootout.
CB: Jurrien Timber – 6.5/10
Timber did his best to keep the Argentine attackers in control but won’t be happy after conceding a goal in each half.
CB: Nathan Ake – 6.5/10
He earned the ball back a few times and worked hard to keep things solid at the back.
CB: Virgil Van Dijk – 6/10
Van Dijk made some important defensive contributions during the game but failed to convert his penalty in the shootout.
RM: Denzel Dumfries – 4.5/10
He gave away a cheap penalty in the second half and offered very little in the final third.
CM: Marten de Roon – 6/10
De Roon struggled to get a foothold in the game and was substituted at half-time.
CM: Frenkie de Jong – 6.5/10
He controlled the game well at times and earned the ball back once.
LM: Daley Blind – 6.5/10
Blind came back to defend when needed but failed to make an impact in the final third.
CAM: Cody Gakpo – 6.5/10
Gakpo was a bit sloppy with his link-up play but created one decent chance during the game.
ST: Memphis Depay – 6/10
The Dutch striker failed to threaten the Argentina goal and could last only 77 minutes.
ST: Steven Bergwijn – 6/10
He was quiet in the first half and was substituted at half-time.
Substitutes:
CAM: Steven Berghuis – 6.5/10
Berghuis came off the bench and secured an assist late in the game.
CM: Teun Koopmeiners – 7/10
He earned an assist as well and scored his penalty in the shootout.
ST: Luuk de Jong – 7/10
De Jong was a threat going forward and kept his calm to score his penalty.
ST: Wout Weghorst – 9.5/10
Weghorst made an instant impact off the bench and scored two late goals to take the match to extra time. He even netted his penalty in the shootout but still ended up on the losing team.
LW: Noa Lang – N/A
He hardly had any time to influence the game.
