World Cup recap, Day 14: Argentina, Dutch set for quarter-finals | Qatar World Cup 2022
Day 14 of the World Cup in Qatar belongs to Argentinian captain Lionel Messi who gave his crew their first purpose in what can be a 2-1 victory over Australia — a win that places the Argentinian facet by to the quarter-finals and noticed Messi surpass the World Cup purpose tally of Argentina’s footballing legend, the late Diego Maradona.
Saturday night time’s different round-of-16 sport noticed the Netherlands begin slowly however steadily construct momentum to attain three targets in opposition to the USA in what can be a 3-1 defeat for the US facet. In so doing, the Dutch have booked a spot in a quarter-final showdown in opposition to Argentina.
Here’s a fast recap of all you could know from Day 14 — Saturday, December 3 — of the World Cup 2022 in Qatar.
Argentina superior to the quarter-finals of the World Cup 2022 following a 2-1 win over Australia, the place Argentinian captain Lionel Messi marked his 1,000th sport as an expert footballer by opening the scoring within the thirty fifth minute.
Messi’s goal on Saturday night against Australia at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium in Qatar was his third at this yr’s event and the ninth of his profession in a World Cup, surpassing by one the earlier file held by the late Argentinian footballing hero Diego Maradona.
Cussed Australia had not given Argentina any area earlier than Messi broke by their defences, and teammate Julián Álvarez put away the second purpose in opposition to Australia within the 57th minute after a lapse by the Socceroos goalkeeper Mathew Ryan.
It was not all one way though, as Argentina felt the pressure when Australian substitute Craig Goodwin scored within the 77th minute following a deflection off Enzo Fernandez and into the Argentinian web.
A glimmer of hope emerged within the closing seconds of the sport that Australia’s Garang Kuol would possibly ship the groups into further time with an equaliser, however his shot was stopped by Argentina goalkeeper Emi Martinez.
The knockout match in opposition to Argentina proved to be a game too far for Australia, who had already exceeded expectations by reaching the Spherical of 16 for less than the second time ever. Australia additionally misplaced within the final 16 in 2006 to the event’s eventual champions, Italy.
Trying ahead, the Argentina vs Netherlands quarter-final showdown shall be their sixth World Cup assembly, together with Argentina profitable the 1978 closing 3-1, shedding the 1998 quarter-final 2-1, and profitable the 2014 semi-final 4-2 on penalties after a 0-0 impasse.
“We had the sport below management and will have scored one other one…. There have been a number of scary moments however we made it by,” mentioned Messi, who hopes to lastly win the World Cup in his fifth and closing try.
“It wasn’t simple however I’m very joyful that we’re by. Now we have to play each three days however have been wanting ahead to enjoying in entrance of our followers. Now we have to proceed standing collectively as a crew.”
Australia ahead Mathew Leckie mentioned: “It hurts. We got here into the sport to win. We had many possibilities and saved ourselves within the sport. We noticed that we’re aggressive, have an excellent preventing and crew spirit.”
Although the USA started strong in their match against the Netherlands, it didn’t take lengthy earlier than the Dutch obtained the measure of the Stars and Stripes and scored three targets that put them by to the quarter-finals of the World Cup.
US star ahead Christian Pulisic missed a golden alternative early on when, after simply three minutes of match time, he discovered himself with nothing between him and the Netherlands’s web than their goalkeeper.
However Dutch goalie Andries Noppert, the tallest man on the World Cup, caught out his left leg to cease a shock opener to the sport.
The Netherlands’s Denzel Dumfries then led the counterattack on Saturday night time by offering an help to Memphis Depay, who discovered the again of the USA web within the tenth minute. The vigorous begin was then changed with a extra languid passage of play because the Netherlands sat again, ready for extra counterattacking possibilities.
A low move from Dumfries to Daley Blind additionally arrange the second Dutch purpose simply forward of the half-time break.
Haji Wright, introduced on in its place within the second half by the USA, gave his crew their first and solely purpose within the 76th minute.
However simply 5 minutes later, it was Dumfries who once more put the Netherlands two targets forward when he scored within the 81st minute, with Daley Blind this time offering the help.
The Dutch now face off against Argentina within the quarter-finals, because the Argentinians beat Australia 2-1 on Saturday.
“That’s an important win for us,” Dumfries mentioned after the sport. “We performed an excellent match, however I nonetheless assume we are able to do higher.”
USA coach Gregg Berhalter mentioned: “It’s such an excellent group of fellows, however we got here up only a bit brief as we speak, however not for the shortage of making an attempt. I’m actually happy with this group however bitterly disillusioned.”
