The Argentina national team goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez met with Louis van Gaal, the coach who led the Netherlands and guided them to a dramatic run in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. The meeting highlighted a moment of mutual respect between two veteran figures of the sport as their teams prepared for the knockout rounds.
After 90 minutes, the match finished level at 2-2, and the outcome moved to a penalty shootout. In the decisive moments, Argentina converted four of their attempts while the Dutch could only muster three, sending Argentina through to the next stage with a 4-3 advantage from the spot.
One of the people close to the action captured a remark the Dutch coach allegedly made before the shootout, suggesting an edge for his side. The comment prompted responses from Argentina’s camp, with statements underscoring the resolve of their players to deliver in high-pressure moments. A notable reaction came from Lionel Messi, who publicly commented on van Gaal’s flamboyant style and how it has been received by the football community.
With that victory, Argentina advanced to the semi-finals, where they were set to face Croatia. The date for the rematch was scheduled for December 13, with kickoff at 22:00 local time in Moscow, reflecting the tournament’s schedule and time zone considerations for fans following the event across continents.
Earlier in the day, another pair of quarter-final matches were on the agenda to determine the other semi-finalists. Portugal faced Morocco at 18:00 Moscow time, while England clashed with France later in the evening at 22:00. These results would shape the final quartet of teams competing for the World Cup trophy that year.
The 2022 World Cup began on November 20 and concluded on December 18, taking place across eight stadiums spread over five host cities. After days of intense matches and surprising upsets, the tournament would crown its winner at the National Stadium, with a global audience watching as teams battled for glory.